After spending most of my life sleeping on a classic spring bed, I recently tested my first ever hybrid mattress. I'm a side sleeper, so I looked forward to trying out the balanced support and comfort that hybrid beds are renowned for. However, I soon discovered that hybrid mattresses aren't the one-size-fits-all beds that they're purported to be...
Take a look at this year's best mattress guide, and you'll find plenty of hybrid beds. These spring-and-foam mattresses are designed to combine the cushioning comfort of all-foam beds with the support and breathability of traditional innerspring mattresses. But does that mean hybrid beds are some of the best mattresses for side sleepers?
In my experience, hybrid mattresses can offer comfort to side sleepers, but only if you choose the right one. Here, I'll share with you the three things I wish I'd known before choosing a hybrid mattress to try, so you can keep these points in mind when looking for a bed in this month's Presidents' Day mattress sales.
The hybrid mattress I tested...
3 things side sleepers should know about hybrid mattresses
1. Latex hybrids don't provide much pressure relief
Most of the best hybrid mattresses contain a mixture of springs and memory foam. However, the first hybrid mattress I ever reviewed didn't contain memory foam. Instead, I tested an organic hybrid mattress that used springs and natural latex foam instead of memory foam.
While memory foam is renowned for its body-cradling feel, latex foam is known for its responsive buoyancy, which is more akin to spring mattresses than memory foam beds. This provides great ease of movement for restless and combination sleepers, but doesn't provide the cushioning pressure relief to soothe shoulders and hips while side sleeping.
Overall, memory foam hybrids are the best option for side sleepers. However, if you do want an eco-friendly latex mattress that's plush, check out our Naturepedic Concerto Pillow Top mattress review, which praises the pillow-top latex hybrid for the pressure relief it provides to side sleepers.
2. Medium-firm hybrids won't suit all side sleepers
Many of the best medium-firm mattresses are hybrids, and are often billed as the one-size-fits-all of the mattress world as they're designed to provide that Goldilocks-level of firmness that most sleepers can enjoy. In fact, the majority of the best mattresses in a box come in a medium-firm feel.
However, that doesn't mean that all medium-firm hybrid mattresses are good for everyone, especially side sleepers. How firm a medium-firm mattress is can vary from brand to brand and model to model, and some sleep positions and body types will find them way too firm (especially side sleepers who weigh below 130lbs).
My advice? Check out our guide to choosing mattress firmness. If you're a lightweight side sleeper like me, you'll likely need something softer than a medium-firm hybrid bed. Fortunately, there are plenty of ultra-plush mattresses that come in a hybrid design.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of medium to medium firm hybrid mattresses if you're an average or heavyweight side sleeper who needs more support. And even firm mattresses can suit some side sleepers if you don't like a bed with much sink.
3. Pillow-top mattresses offer plenty of sink-in support
The best pillow-top mattresses offer plenty of sink-in softness for side sleepers, and the good news is that most of them are hybrids. While not all of them will be the top choice for side sleepers (some pillow-top mattresses are quite firm) a lot of them will have plush, cushioning surface. Others, meanwhile, will give you firmness options so you can choose how soft you want them to be.
What should side sleepers look for in a mattress?
If you're a side sleeper, there are some things you should look out for in a mattress, be it a hybrid or one of the best memory foam mattresses.
- A thickness between 10 to 14 inches: A thicker mattress means more comfort layers to cushion key side-sleeping pressure points in your shoulders, hips, and knees. Remember: how thick a mattress should be can also depend on your body weight and mobility capabilities.
- Features that will help with sleep issues: When shopping for a mattress, you shouldn't only focus on your sleep position. Think about your other sleep preferences and issues. Do you sleep hot? Look for one of the best cooling mattresses that offer pressure relief. Have lower back pain? Look for a mattress that offers lumbar support as well as plush comfort.
- A suitable price: Always consider your budget when shopping for a mattress for side sleeping. For example, there are plenty of best cheap mattresses out there that are pressure relieving enough for side sleepers.
