7 Best Hybrid Mattress UK Picks for All Sleepers In 2023
List of our best hybrid mattress UK picks
We wouldn't want to waste your time, so it's only appropriate for us to get to the mattresses straight away. Now, this is not your regular “top” list, and our mattresses aren't ranked in a particular order. Instead, they're each the best in their own respective category, so you can easily distinguish one from the other, and maybe, just maybe, buy the one that fits your needs the best.
Mattresses
1
BEST OVERALL
Mattresses
2
BEST VALUE
Mattresses
3
UPGRADE PICK
Mattresses
4
BEST FOR COUPLES
Mattresses
5
BEST FIRM
Mattresses
6
BEST FOR PAIN
Mattresses
7
BEST PREMIUM HYBRID
BEST OVERALL: Nectar Hybrid Mattress
Our pick for the best mattress!
BEST OVERALL
The Nectar Hybrid Mattress is closer to memory foam mattresses than it is to pocket-sprung mattresses, which is to be expected from a memory foam-oriented hybrid.
The quilted, breathable sleep surface is specially designed to regulate your body temperature, and so is the dynamic support foam layer that lies underneath it.
The mini pocket springs are mainly there for improved cooling and airflow. Then we have a layer of pressure-relieving and temperature-regulating memory foam. These two factors alone make for quite a top-tier hybrid mattress!
Overall, it takes some of the best parts of memory foam mattresses, such as pressure relief and comfort, and adds the stability of pocket spring models. And if you weren't sure about its quality, just know that Nectar is giving you a lifetime warranty for this hybrid mattress!
KEY FEATURES:
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 25 cm
- Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Advantages
High-quality foam
Motion-isolating and pressure-relieving.
Great for back pain
Comfortable and supportive.
Excellent warranty and trial
Lifetime warranty and a 365-night trial.
Disadvantages
No rotating handles
Harder to move the mattress around.
Minor off-gassing issues
There's a slight odour when first opened.
BEST VALUE: Silentnight Studio Eco Hybrid Mattress
If you're looking for a hybrid mattress that's going to keep the price relatively low while also being a high-quality product, this is the mattress for you!
BEST VALUE
The Silentnight Studio Eco Hybrid mattress is not your typical hybrid mattress. It is essentially a pocket sprung mattress with two additional eco-fibre layers made from recycled plastic bottles. As expected, this is a slightly firmer mattress, but not to the point of discomfort.
The pocket springs inside of this one are full-sized, and they stand 180 mm tall. So, this hybrid is a lot more stable than similar models. They're also very durable and long-lasting, and they offer quite a bit of support. Even the heaviest sleepers could enjoy this one.
The mattress also sleeps cool due to its pocket springs and Eco-fibre build, so, it's a much better pick for hot sleepers than a standard memory foam mattress or a more foam-heavy hybrid.
Here is our Silentnight Studio Eco Hybrid mattress review.
KEY FEATURES:
- Firmness: 7.5/10
- Thickness: 24 cm
- Size: Single, Double, King
Advantages
Very supportive
Your back will be supported throughout the night.
Cool and breathable
You don't have to worry about overheating.
Durable
This mattress will stick around for quite some time.
Disadvantages
Edge-support needs improvement
Not terrible but could be better for the price.
Not the best pressure relief
Still decent but not the best.
Not suitable for side sleepers.
Side sleepers might want a softer model.
UPGRADE PICK: Simba Hybrid Mattress
An intuitive and innovative design for those with a taste for finer things in life!
UPGRADE PICK
This five-layered hybrid mattress offers gravity-defying comfort thanks to memory foam and Simba's unique titanium Aerocoil pocket springs layer as well as a whole lot of other unique features.
Excluding the covers, the Simba Hybrid is made up of 3 perfectly engineered comfort layers, two of which are foam and a single mini pocket springs layer.
The Aerocoil pocket sprung layer inside of the Simba Hybrid mattress is composed of up to 2500 25mm tall pocket springs. And each spring can take on your weight independently, meaning that you won't have to worry about motion transfer.
Here's our Simba Hybrid mattress review.
KEY FEATURES:
- Firmness: 6.5/10
- Thickness: 25 cm
- Size: (UK) Single, Small Double, Double, King Size, Super King Size (EU) Single, Double, Queen, Kids
Advantages
Very comfortable & cooling
No overheating or discomfort to be found here.
Excellent durability
The Simba Hybrid is unlikely to become lumpy within the first few years.
High-quality foam
Offers great pressure-relief and motion isolation.
Disadvantages
Subpar edge-support
For the price, we expected better.
Not the easiest maintenance
No removable, machine-washable cover.
BEST FOR COUPLES: Emma NextGen Premium Mattress
Sharing a bed has never felt more comfortable!
BEST FOR COUPLES
Thanks to its exceptional build and high-quality materials, this hybrid mattress from Emma is ideal for couples.
Everything about this hybrid mattress feels premium. The Halo memory foam is top notch and you'd be pressed to find higher-quality springs on the UK market. In fact, it's these two factors that make the Emma NextGen Premium Mattress so great for couples!
For one, the big, sturdy springs make the mattress a lot more breathable. This means no more overheating during your cuddling sessions! And the soft memory foam, when combined with the large springs, makes the mattress suit just about anyone.
So, whether you're a combination sleeper or just have a very picky sleeping partner, this hybrid mattress has you covered! Speaking of covers, the mattress also features a premium, easily-removable cover that makes cleaning as easy as it gets.
To learn more, read our full review of the Emma NextGen Premium Mattress.
KEY FEATURES:
- Firmness: 7/10
- Thickness: 25 cm
- Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, EU Double, EU Queen
Advantages
Will suit just about everybody
This hybrid mattress is bound to keep you comfortable, regardless of how you sleep.
High breathability
No more overheating during the night.
Easy to wash
The cover is removable and easy to wash.
Disadvantages
A bit pricey
Expensive when compared to other hybrid mattresses.
BEST FIRM: OTTY Original Hybrid Mattress
A heavenly sleeping surface for front and heavyweight sleepers!
BEST FIRM
The OTTY Original hybrid comes with better and taller pocket springs than most pocket sprung mattresses do, and the quality of its memory foam layers would put many memory foam mattresses to shame.
Due to full-sized pocket springs (up to 2000 of them) and an HD foam base, this hybrid is ideal for stomach sleepers, as it is a bit firmer than what you'd expect from a regular hybrid.
But, don't mistake its firmness for discomfort. Thanks to specially designed Reflex foam, this mattress is as comfortable as it is supportive.
Here's our OTTY Original Hybrid mattress review.
KEY FEATURES:
- Firmness: 7.5/10
- Thickness: 25 cm
- Size: (UK) Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, Emperor (EU) Single, Double, King
Advantages
Exceptional support for side sleepers
The mattress will keep your spine and hip well-supported.
Great temperature-regulating properties
The mattress can both keep you cool and warm.
Easy to wash
Removable and washable cover.
Disadvantages
It might be too firm for some sleepers
Lightweight sleepers might want a softer mattress.
Not easy to move around
No side handles to move the mattress directly.
Potentially not the most durable
Some customers have complained about the durability.
BEST FOR PAIN: Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress
If you're looking for the best hybrid mattress at fighting back and neck pain, this could be the perfect choice for you!
BEST FOR PAIN
The BioCell foam, 7 zone support, the comfort base layer and every other aspect of this hybrid mattress is just exemplary.
But, what's truly special about this mattress is the OrthoAlign Foam. This high-density layer is made from orthopaedic memory foam, which optimises spinal alignment to allow you to have a comfortable and pain-free sleep.
All of this makes the Panda Hybrid miles ahead compared to other hybrid mattresses when it comes to pressure and pain relief.
Here's our Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress review.
KEY FEATURES:
- Firmness: 7/10
- Thickness: 27 cm
- Size: (UK) Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, (EU) Single, Double King, Emperor
Advantages
Highly breathable
No need to worry about overheating.
Supportive
Your back and joints will be well-supported.
Hypoallergenic
No need to worry about allergies.
Disadvantages
Not the best for front sleepers
Front sleepers might want a firmer mattress.
Not easy to carry
Lack of side handles for easy movement
BEST PREMIUM HYBRID: Dunlopillo Lair 1190 Hybrid Mattress
If you want the best hybrid mattress, the premium experience, and don't care much about the price, this could be the perfect pick for you!
BEST PREMIUM HYBRID
This hybrid mattress is made up of pocket springs and latex, two materials known for their support and pressure-relieving properties, respectively. The result is an incredibly comfortable and supportive mattress that's perfect for those who need a bit more support.
One of the best things about the Lair is that it doesn't get too hot during the night. Latex is known for its cooling properties, so you won't have to worry about sweating through the night, as you might with memory foam.
Additionally, the deep layer of latex is incredibly durable and will likely last for years – making this mattress a great value investment, despite the price tag.
All in all, the Dunlopillo Lair is an excellent hybrid mattress that's sure to give you a good night's sleep and even help with your allergies!
KEY FEATURES:
- Firmness: 6/10
- Thickness: 25 cm
- Size: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
Advantages
Durable and long-lasting
This hybrid mattress is made to last.
Breathable and naturally hypoallergenic
Great for hot sleepers or allergy sufferers.
Pain and pressure-relieving
The mattress will keep your hips and joints comfortable and healthy.
Disadvantages
Pricey
A bit more expensive than similar hybrid mattresses.
Non-removable cover
This makes maintenance a bit more difficult.
Things to consider when buying the best hybrid mattress
Now that we've met with our picks, it is time for us to dig a little deeper into the world of hybrid mattresses and tell you a little bit about what you should keep in mind when shopping for a hybrid.
Springs VS Foam
Most hybrid mattresses are a mixture of two or more elements, hence the name. Most often, those elements are pocket springs and memory foam.
Even though these two work impeccably well together, knowing which one does which will help you select the perfect hybrid ten out of ten times.
Namely, some hybrids are more spring-oriented, while others emphasise the memory foam. Depending on whether you're looking for extra support and bounce, or contour and pressure relief, one or the other might be a better fit for you.
Generally speaking, spring-oriented hybrids are best suited towards support and cooling, while the memory foam-dominated hybrids are a better choice if you need pressure and pain relief, or possibly some extra motion isolation.
When to get more memory foam
In practice, this is what your decision making process might look like. Let's say that you already have a memory foam mattress. It's incredibly comfortable, you love the hugging feeling the memory foam provides, and you couldn't live without the motion isolation memory foam is known for. However, it could use a bit more breathability and you wouldn't mind it being a tad firmer. In this case, you want a memory foam focused hybrid mattress.
Finding a hybrid mattress that's more memory foam focused is rather easy. They'll typically have multiple layers of foam (sometimes even up to five or six). However, do note that not all foam is memory foam. In fact, the actual memory foam layer is likely going to be just a few cm thick. But that's still more than enough in most cases.
When to get more pocket springs
On the other hand, let's say you have a pocket spring mattress that has served you well so far. You like a slightly firmer sleeping surface, the pocket springs support your body nicely, and you couldn't imagine waking up covered in sweat. However, a bit of pressure relief and a subtle hug do seem nice. Then, a pocket spring focused mattress makes for a better choice.
When it comes to finding a hybrid mattress that's more pocket spring focused, it's a bit more difficult than with memory foam. Most of the time, you're just going to see a large number of pocket springs, usually above 1000. However, you'll sometimes see hybrid mattresses that have multiple layers of pocket springs. These types of hybrids usually utilise smaller, more adaptable pocket springs.
The benefits of memory foam
So far, we've been a bit vague when it comes to what exactly memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses with more memory foam bring to the table. So, let's just quickly list off the main benefits of going for a memory foam focused hybrid mattress.
- No motion transfer – Memory foam sports very high motion isolation. This means that disturbing one side of the mattress is unlikely to affect the other side.
- Pressure and pain relief – The hugging sensation we've mentioned a few times already makes it so that your joints are getting support from all sides. For this reason, hybrids with a thick memory foam layer usually make for a great choice for battling joint pain at night.
- Excellent for side sleepers – Side sleepers will typically want a decent amount of memory foam as it allows their hip and shoulder to slightly dip into the hybrid mattress. This in turn keeps your spine straight and healthy.
- Comfort – While comfort is subjective, there's a reason why so many people love memory foam mattresses. And while not always as soft as a memory foam mattress, a good hybrid mattress sports a similar comfort level.
The benefits of pocket springs
If the last section made you think that you should just get a memory foam mattress, stick around. After all, a pocket-sprung base can bring about quite a few benefits that memory foam mattresses can't offer by themselves.
- Superior breathability – Since a spring layer isn't nearly as dense as a memory foam layer, overheating is a lot less likely.
- More support – High-quality pocket springs can adapt to your every movement and support your entire body throughout the night.
- Better for stomach or back sleepers – A memory foam mattress is hardly ever firm. However, if you add a pocket-sprung base into the mix, you can get very firm models. And a firm hybrid mattress is a lot better for back and stomach sleepers.
- Durability – Springs are typically more durable than memory foam. So, having a pocket spring base can make your hybrid mattress last a lot longer.
Size & Bed Frame
Not every mattress will work with every bed frame, and we don't just mean size-wise. Sure, a King-size mattress won't fit a Single bed frame, but what could also happen is that the base of your frame is incompatible with the mattress you've just bought.
Naturally, the first thing you'll pay attention to is the size because nobody wants a mattress that's too big or small for the bed frame. So, check whether you need a Single, Double, King, Super King or even a custom-size. Fortunately, UK mattress and bed frame sizes are standardised, so this shouldn't pose an issue.
On the other hand, the base of the frame might require some extra thinking. Generally speaking, a flat, solid base will offer better support and will make your mattress firmer. However, some mattresses need to “breathe”, so a solid, closed-bottom base is not an option. This is especially important for hybrid mattresses that utilise a thick layer of memory foam.
In that case, you'd probably go for a slatted base, with up to 7 cm of space between the slats. A slatted base, on the other hand, is known to make your mattress softer, although not considerably.
Finally, the most important thing to remember is that the floor is not a suitable base for a hybrid or any other mattress. And there's no point in saving a bit of money now if you end up needing a chiropractor in a year or two!
A bed-In-A-Box Mattress
Hybrid mattresses are almost exclusively sold as bed-in-a-box mattresses – like most mattresses are. What this means is that your new mattress will arrive at your doorstep, neatly packed and vacuum-sealed inside of a cardboard box.
Upon unpacking, you will need to leave your hybrid out to rest for at least a few hours, or maybe even days, although the latter is almost never the case. If the memory foam doesn't fully expand within the first 72 hours – there's probably something wrong with it.
Finally, bed-in-a-box mattresses are known for their chemical smell upon unpacking, but that's just a regular memory foam smell that will dissipate in a matter of hours and is not a cause for concern.
Of course, there will always be exceptions and some hybrids might not come as a bed-in-a-box. For example, just like some pocket-sprung mattresses are delivered already at full size, certain hybrids that have a lot of springs might come in a similar fashion.
Generally speaking, a bed-in-a-box is going to be ideal for most people. After all, it makes delivery a lot easier and you don't have to worry whether the mattress can fir through the door. However, some people might not want a bed-in-a-box, as you can't always use it right away. So, whether or not you get a bed-in-a-box depends on how soon you want to use your new hybrid and whether delivery is a problem for you.
Pain Issues
If you have trouble falling or staying asleep because of pain, a new mattress might be able to help – especially a hybrid. So, that's something to keep in mind.
Hybrid mattresses are known for being quite pressure and pain-relieving, mostly due to their unique structure, so if a hybrid is advertised as “good for back pain” – it probably is.
Sleep-related pain is usually caused by a bad sleeping posture, and a bad sleeping posture is caused by a bad mattress. However, if you decide to get one of the best hybrid mattresses money can buy, pain shouldn't be an issue anymore.
Any of the aforementioned hybrid mattresses should do an excellent job of relieving you of pain by providing you with sound support, perfect spinal alignment and excellent pressure relief around the core areas (very important if you sleep on your side).
However, it is worth noting that if you're dealing with a chronic condition that's causing you pain in your lower back, hips or joints, an orthopaedic mattress might not cause any relief, as the mattress isn't the underlying cause of pain. So, in this case, seeing a professional is your best option.
Firmness
Finally, the last important thing you should pay attention to while shopping for a new hybrid is the firmness of the mattress. Firmness is measured on a “firmness scale” – an imaginary, yet agreed-upon scale from 1 to 10, where 10 is the firmest mattress should be.
Now, not every firmness level is suited for everyone, and even though a medium-firm hybrid should be a good fit for most people – don't just take the “safe route”.
As a general rule of thumb, you should select the firmness of the mattress based on your sleeping position and your body weight. The less you weigh the softer the mattress should be, and vice versa.
As far as sleeping positions go, the general consensus is following.
Side sleepers should choose a soft to a medium-firm mattress, so anywhere from 3.5 to a 6.5 on the firmness scale.
Back sleepers have a bit more range to work with, and will generally find anything ranging from 4 to 8.5 to be quite comfortable.
As for the front sleepers, well, they require a bit more pelvic support, therefore, a softer mattress isn't an option. So, it's 6.5 or higher for the stomach sleepers. However, do note that your bodyweight also comes into play! So, just refer to the table below if you're not sure how firm your hybrid mattress should be.
The price
While hybrid mattresses are amazing, they're not always very cheap. And, depending on what you're looking for, they can vary greatly when it comes to both the price and the quality of the hybrid mattress itself. So, we're just going to go over the general price points of different hybrid mattresses and talk about what you should expect.
And based on that information, you can decide whether you want a luxury hybrid mattress or one of the cheaper models. But we will point out that this is a generalisation and there are bound to be plenty of outliers!
Low-end hybrid mattresses
Even though we're calling them low-end, hybrid mattresses will still typically be more expensive than a lower-quality foam mattress or an innespring model. Let's say roughly around 200-300 pounds for a Single mattress. When getting a lower-end hybrid mattress, you should expect:
- Very little if any memory foam – Just like with a low-end memory foam mattress, a cheaper hybrid is likely to have very little actual memory foam. It will mostly focus on regular foam when creating the bulk of the mattress. And this is significant as regular foam doesn't offer the same level of comfort as memory foam.
- Fewer springs – While even lower-end hybrids tend to be pocket-sprung (as opposed to innerspring layers), they'll usually be a bit bulkier. And bigger springs means that there are fewer of them in total, decreasing the motion isolation of the hybrid by a tad.
- Worse coverage – Both the guarantee and the trial period that comes with lower-end hybrids usually isn't going to be all that great. In fact, some models might not even offer a trial period.
Medium hybrid mattresses
Middle-of-the-road hybrids are typically going to be a pretty safe choice for a lot of people. While they're not as cheap, they also typically feel and perform a lot better than their cheaper counterparts. Here memory foam is more-or-less the standard and you can even start to see pocket-sprung bases with micro springs.
This is also where you typically see a lot of the bigger brands such as Emma or Silentnight. And that means that you'll usually get very good coverage for your new hybrid!
- More memory foam – While regular foam will still be used, the top layer will usually sport a thicker layer of memory foam. This means that you're likely to get a similar level of comfort as when sleeping on a memory foam mattress.
- More and smaller springs – Micro springs typically start being used at this level. Most brands have trademarked names but the important part is how small and durable the pocket springs are.
- Better coverage – You're a lot more likely to get a solid trial period as well as a guarantee. This means that making a decision on which hybrid to get is a bit less stressful.
High-end hybrid mattresses
When getting a premium mattress, you can expect premium quality. High-end hybrids typically start utilising other materials besides just memory foam and pocket springs. For example, latex. A premium mattress will also likely have multiple foam and spring layers. This is to ensure that you're getting the most comfortable sleeping surface while also being supported throughout the night.
Lastly, most of the biggest brands will have premium hybrids in their catalogue. So, expect to start seeing insane features such as lifetime warranties and one-year trial periods.
- More layers – High-end hybrids will usually have multiple layers of both memory foam and springs. This is to ensure that you're getting the best performance possible.
- New materials – Materials such as latex might start popping up in this category. You'll also likely see mattresses made from recycling materials. This is a big plus for eco-conscious sleepers.
- The best coverage – Premium hybrids can offer anything from a lifetime warranty to a one-year trial period. Typically, you won't find better coverage anywhere else.
Tips for buying and using the best hybrid mattress
To make sure you end up with the best hybrid mattress for your own needs, you have to know how to find the right one. But, if you don't know how to use it properly, you might miss out on some excellent features. On that note, here are some tips for buying and using the hybrid mattresses.
Choose the mattress based on your personal needs. If you sleep on your stomach – go for a firm mattress, which will usually be more spring-focused. If you sleep on your side – opt for a soft mattress, which will usually have a thicker layer of memory foam. And if you struggle with allergies – look for a mattress with hypoallergenic properties. You get the gist.
Simply looking at the spec sheet of a hybrid mattress might give you a good idea of what kind of performance you can expect, but you can't be 100% sure whether a mattress is good or not, and that's where expert reviews come in handy.
Even the best mattresses can be made average if not used on the correct bed base. So, make sure you got that part covered, too.
Always be on the lookout for deals. Most mattress brands in the UK often put their products on sale, so if you want to buy a new mattress, waiting for a month or two might just save you more than a couple of quid.
A mattress protector goes a long way. Even though hybrids are durable, having a high quality protector on top of it makes maintenance ten times easier.
- Choose the mattress based on your needs
- Read the reviews
- Use the correct base
- Look out for deals
- Use a mattress protector.
The advantages of owning the best hybrid mattress
There is more than one advantage to owning the best hybrid mattress.
For starters, hybrid mattresses generally bring forth the best of both worlds – memory foam and pocket springs. And, when you put those two together, you get a neat little mash-up of excellent support and contouring comfort.
Furthermore, hybrid mattresses are known for being quite reliable, durable and long-lasting, so you can be certain that if you make a sizable investment into a product like this, you'll actually get some quality in return.
Additionally, some hybrid mattresses are known for being excellent at alleviating pressure and pain thanks to their semi-orthopaedic nature and brilliant design. This is especially true when they feature a thicker layer of memory foam or natural latex. Not to say other mattresses can't be pain-relieving, as well.
Finally, hybrid mattresses are generally low maintenance. They often come with removable, washable covers, and due to their unique structure, they rarely need flipping – only rotating every so often. This makes them incredibly easy to keep clean and in great shape for a long time.
- Bringing together comfort and support
- Excellent longevity and durability
- Known to alleviate pressure and pain
- Low maintenance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hybrid mattresses can make for an amazing investment. When done right, they bring out the best parts of both memory foam and pocket springs, leading to an unparalleled sleeping experience. So, keep what we've said in mind as you search for the best hybrid mattress UK has to offer!
FAQs about your hybrid mattresses UK
In the end, we wanted to wrap things up by answering some of the most frequently asked questions about hybrid mattresses.
How long do hybrid mattresses last on average?
A reliable, high-quality hybrid mattress will last anywhere from 8 to 10 years on average.
What level of firmness do I need from a hybrid mattress?
It all depends on your sleeping preferences, but generally speaking, a medium-firm hybrid should be a suitable fit for most sleepers.
Do I have to flip/turn my hybrid mattress?
Most of the time, you'll only need to rotate your hybrid mattress from head to toe, so no flipping or turning will be required.
Do hybrid mattresses have a strong smell of chemicals?
Some memory foam hybrids might have an issue with off-gassing in the first few hours or days, but nothing persistent or too strong.
Do hybrid mattresses come with a trial period that allows you to test them?
It all depends. Most mattress brands UK has to offer will grant you a trial period ranging from 100 to 356 days.
Are hybrid mattresses better for side sleepers?
In general, hybrids should be a good fit for side sleepers, but once again, it all depends on the particular mattress you're interested in.
Should back sleepers use hybrid mattresses?
Absolutely. Most hybrid mattresses will be an excellent fit for back sleepers.
Can front sleepers use a hybrid mattress?
They can. A medium-firm or a firm hybrid can be quite an excellent choice for front or stomach sleepers.
