Ally Burnie
When it comes to searching for a new mattress, memory foam is probably what first comes to mind, right? Memory foam mattresses have exploded into the market, especially when it comes to mattress-in-a-box products. However, there are several other popular options you might not have heard of and might be a better fit for you and your sleeping needs, especially if you don’t like a firm mattress (as memory foam mattresses typically sit on the firmer side).
Enter: the hybrid mattress. A hybrid mattress is a multi-layer bed that combines memory foam, latex, or gel along with an innerspring system. What’s great about hybrid mattresses is you get the pressure relief of the foam layers and the soft, bouncy feeling of a classic spring mattress. Let’s take a deeper look into the humble hybrid mattress and round up the top 5 in Australia (including the one we’d rate the absolute best hybrid mattress)
How is a Hybrid Mattress Made?
Each hybrid mattress brand will have a different “recipe” for creating a hybrid mattress, but below is the typical structure of a hybrid mattress:
Comfort layer: This is the layer that you sleep on top of and is made of cushioned components like memory foam, latex, and cool-inducing gel. This is generally 3 to 4 inches of body-hugging material.
Support core: The support core forms the majority of the mattress height at 7 to 8 inches. It features pocket-wrapped coils and springs that provide spinal support.
Base layer: Usually composed of foam, this 1-inch layer at the base provides padding, sturdiness, and stability.
Hybrid or Memory Foam?
As we mentioned before, memory foam mattresses seem to be the most-talked about mattress-in-a-box products. Combining layers of foam, memory foam mattresses react to body heat and pressure (i.e. body weight) to mould to the individual curves of your body. The viscoelastic material absorbs excess motion, allowing you to effectively sink into the mattress.
Hybrid mattresses, on the other hand, combine memory foam and a foundation of pocket-wrapped coils. The springs provide that bouncy feel that many people love in a spring mattress, while the foam wraps you into a “hug”. That’s why many people choose hybrid mattresses because it provides the best of both worlds.
Is a Hybrid Mattress Right for Me?
The short answer is yes. Most sleepers will find a hybrid mattress exceptionally comfortable as it combines the snugness of all foam with the resilience of traditional spring mattresses. The only time we’d say a hybrid mattress might not be right for you is if you definitely know you prefer and sleep best on a firmer, all-foam mattress.
If you’re used to memory foam and switch to a hybrid, you might find it too soft and you might wake up with some aches and pains. Over time you’d get used to it and come to love your new hybrid, but it might be an adjustment.
Are Hybrid Mattresses Durable?
Hybrid mattresses are certainly durable, provided you look after them. And, most mattress-in-a-box products come with very good warranties ranging from 10-15 years, so you have peace of mind. Typically speaking, however, hybrid mattresses last around 7 to 10 years and even longer if properly cared for.
Are Hybrid Mattresses Good for Back & Joint Pain?
There are a lot of reasons you may be experiencing back or joint pain, and oftentimes the cause is something as innocent as the mattress you’re sleeping on. As such, are hybrid mattresses good for back support and joint pain? While memory foam mattresses are certainly known for offering the best back support, what really affects whether you’ll wake up with a bad back or stiff joints is a mattress that lacks support.
A mattress that is too firm or not firm enough won’t effectively support your spine at your neck or lower back. That’s where hybrids excel. Not too firm and not too soft, hybrid mattresses are certainly good for back pain. The foam layers help cushion the crucial spinal points, raise your hips and relax your muscles. Meanwhile, the springs provide a nice bounce for extra support and comfort.
Are Hybrid Mattresses Expensive?
While not always true, generally hybrid mattresses are more expensive than memory foam – but not overly so. This is because they have more materials and components that go into making them, but as such they’re also more durable. This means you’ll probably get more use out of it before you need to buy a new mattress.
For a quality queen hybrid mattress in Australia you can expect to pay about $1,650 on average, with ultra high-end models reaching up to $4,000.
Other Important Hybrid Mattress Considerations
How Cool is it?
Hybrid mattresses in most cases offer excellent airflow, with different types of foam types used in hybrid mattresses offering different cooling technologies. Latex foam contains holes for aeration, making it efficient at keeping you cool at night.
What Type of Foam is Used?
Memory foam is the most popular foam used as the top layer above the coil base. If you want something comfortable and supported, look for memory foam. Another option is latex foam and while it is certainly comfortable, it offers a slightly different feel to memory foam. Latex is hypoallergenic and eco-friendly, and thanks to its properties, it “springs back” rather than lets you sink in like memory foam does.
What Coil System Does it Use?
Consider the coil system the hybrid mattress uses. We’d recommend independently encased pocket coils rather than continuous coil systems. Pocket coils reduce partner disturbance while also being supportive enough to allow you to easily move around the bed or get in and out of bed.
Size
A hybrid mattress is bigger than other mattresses, thanks to its many layers. So if the mattress seems thin to you, double check it’s definitely a hybrid. Typically, the coil base should be 18-20cm in height, while the foam layer should be 8-10cm and the top layer 4-5cm.
Firmness Level
While hybrid mattresses are inherently softer than memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses do come in different firmness levels. If you sleep on your side, we recommend a softer hybrid mattress to help cushion the hip and shoulders. For back and front sleepers, your best bet is a medium-firm to firm option to keep your spine aligned and supported.
The 5 Best Hybrid Mattress in Australia
Now we know a bit more about hybrid mattresses, you’re probably wondering which one is the best. Luckily, we’ve got the answer. Here are our picks for the top 4 best hybrid mattresses in Australia.
1. Sleeping Duck Mach II
Shipping location: Australia
Fastest delivery: Next day (metro)
Warranty period: 10 years
Trial period: 100 nights
Price Queen (RRP): $1,649
The Sleeping Duck Mattress is one of the most well-known and universally loved mattresses in Australia. While on the pricier side, the extra dollars you spend are well worth it thanks to this mattress’s incredible level of customisation – with the Sleeping Duck mattress, you truly can make a mattress that suits your needs (and even the needs of your sleeping partner).
We rate it the best mattress-in-a-box thanks to its incredible level of customisation. It features a customisable, modular foam layer that can adjusted in 12 separate areas (6 on each side of the bed), the Sleeping Duck mattress goes above and beyond in its customisation capabilities – from whether you want a medium or firm overall, with a soft, medium or extra-firm micro-setting. What’s even better is that you can have a different level of firmness to your sleeping partner, which is a truly unique feature of the Sleeping Duck. Ideal for front, side, back or combo sleepers, there’s not much not to love about the Sleeping Duck.
Read more about the Sleeping Duck mattress here.
2. Eva
Shipping location: Australia
Fastest delivery: Same day
Warranty period: 12 years
Trial period: 120 nights
Price (RRP): $900
The Eva mattress has been on the Aussie market for several years, but has recently taken off as one of the most popular online mattresses in Australia. This hybrid mattress is an excellent all-rounder for all sleeping types and is also excellent value for money. It brings the best of both worlds with latex, memory foam and pocket springs, providing support, keeping you cool and minimising sleep disturbance.
It has quickly made a name for itself as one of the best-valued mattresses in Australia. With a combined cooling memory foam and pocket spring system, the Eva mattress provides an optimal night’s rest for sleepers of all kinds, including front, back, side and combo. Being a hybrid, it suits the needs of all types of sleepers, and has earned itself a great name in the mattress in a box industry.
Read more about the Eva mattress here.
3. Noa
Shipping location: Australia
Fastest delivery: One day
Warranty period: 15 years
Trial period: 100 nights
Price (RRP): $1,099
The Noa is a hybrid mattress that blends latex, cooling gel memory foam and supportive pocket springs that’s excellent value for money. The Noa Mattress sits in the middle of the Noa’s mattress range (which also includes Noa Lite and Noa Luxe). It is an affordable hybrid mattress developed by Canadian company Noa Home. The Noa mattress is universally enjoyed, with pocket springs and premium certified foams. The Noa mattress offers a good combination of comfort and support, especially coupled with value for money.
The Noa mattress is a universally comfortable mattress that’s ideal for all sleeping positions and body types. It’s especially good for people who need extra back support. If we’re looking at a firmness scale of 1-10, the Noa mattress would be somewhere around the 7 (not too hard, not too soft!) With its signature pocket spring system, sleepers receive great spinal support. Meanwhile, it also offers great motion isolation, so partner disturbance is kept to a minimum. Thanks to its natural latex foam and memory foam layer, the Noa mattress provides excellent medium-firm pressure relief.
Temperature:Â The pocket springs allow for excellent airflow and breathability, making this an ideal mattress for hot and neutral sleepers. Meanwhile, the TENCEL, latex, and gel memory foam work together with the airy coil layers to remove heat from the surface.
Read more about the Noa mattress here.
The Emma Original Mattress was replaced in 2021 by the new “Emma Comfort Mattress” which has a simpler two-layer construction.
4. Emma
Shipping location: Australia
Fastest delivery: Same day
Warranty period: 12 years
Trial period: 120 nights
Price (RRP): $900
The Emma Original mattress is one of Australia’s most popular foam mattresses in a box. It offers excellent value for money and is a great all-rounder mattress that will suit most people thanks to its medium firmness and comfort-enhancing features.
Founded in Germany in 2015, the Emma mattress has made waves across the globe – 21 countries to be exact – and is an award-winning triple-layered foam mattress. It offers exceptional value for money – especially for those on a budget. It’s incredibly comfortable while also providing fantastic support for all sleeping positions. The Emma is a great choice for sleepers who want superior quality in foam design that’s made to relieve pressure and minimise partner disturbance. The Emma Original mattress has been tried and tested in Europe with multiple awards won (in fact, it’s the most awarded mattress in Europe).
Read more about the Emma mattress here.
5. Sleep Republic
Shipping location: Australia
Fastest delivery: Next day metro
Warranty period: 12 years
Trial period: 100 nights
Price (RRP): $1,249
The Sleep Republic mattress is the best hybrid mattress on the market. The founders and designers of the Sleep Republic mattress have been in the mattress industry for over 20 years. The company prides itself on decades of experience in designing, manufacturing and selling mattresses, and identifying their high quality components.
As such, they’ve developed a hybrid mattress that is incredibly durable, with a very nice cashmere fabric comfort foam layer combined with premium foam, and is 100% natural latex. Thanks to its high definition pocket spring systems, it provides amazing back support and very little partner disturbance.
It has excellent edge support and is very well ventilated thanks to its breathable spacer fabric. Meanwhile, the gel-infused memory foam contours to your body while providing lovely pressure relief, while up to 2250 high definition pocket springs provide support in 5 specific body zones and for co-sleepers, you won’t even know your partner is there.
Ally Burnie
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