Most of us spend at least six hours in our beds each night. So, it only makes sense that we have good, solid mattresses that are going to give our bodies plenty of support at the best possible price point. When you have a not so great mattress, you end up with a lot of problems, including aches and pains, and lack of sleep. Memory form and hybrid mattresses are both excellent options when you are shopping for a new mattress. But, is one any better than the other? Let’s take a look at both and see what features they have to offer.
Memory Foam Mattresses:
Memory foam has been around for several decades. It was first designed in the mid 1960’s for NASA, to be used for airplane seats because of its comfort and other factors. Memory foam will mold itself to the shape of your body, so it cradles you (even if you are heavier) and gives you plenty of support. This is why it is such an excellent material for mattresses.
Memory Foam Mattress Features:
One of the things people like most about a memory foam mattress is that it almost feels like it is cradling your body. It literally conforms to your body shape, and responds to heat and pressure. So, every part of your body is properly supported, giving you a comfortable sleep. Other features include:
- Motion Transfer – When someone moves around or gets out of bed, it always disturbs the person next to them. This isn’t the case for people who have memory foam mattresses. Unless you have a wobbly bed frame, your bed isn’t going to move.
- Hypoallergenic – Another great feature about memory foam is that it is hypoallergenic. This makes it a great material for beds, because it is resistant to dust mites, dust, and other allergens. It is also very easy to clean.
- Spinal Alignment – When we don’t have the right mattress (and pillow), our bodies end up not being in proper alignment while we are sleeping. When you have a memory foam mattress, your body weight will be evenly distributed, and your head and neck will be in perfect alignment with your spine.
- Breathing – Anyone with breathing issues may want to invest in a memory foam mattress. The previously mentioned spinal alignment also helps the respiratory system. This is a good mattress option for anyone with chronic breathing problems.
Okay, so we have talked about how great a memory foam mattress can be and looked at the features, but let’s look a little deeper at some of the pros that certain manufacturers swear by for their bed business.
Pros of a Memory Foam Mattress:
- Warranty – Most manufacturers of these mattresses offer 10 to 25-year warranties that guarantee against any manufacturer defects.
- Care – There isn’t much work involved in taking care of a memory foam mattress unlike traditional mattresses. All you have to do is wipe them down once in a while with a damp cloth.
Hybrid Mattresses:
The newest thing in the world of mattresses is the hybrid mattress. Every manufacturer seems to be jumping on this new trend, but is it really a good thing? It’s time to take a look at hybrid mattresses, and see if they really are all that they are hyped up to be.
Hybrid Mattress Features:
A hybrid is something that is comprised of more than one thing. A hybrid mattress is one that has the qualities of a traditional innerspring mattress and a foam mattress. As a rule, a hybrid will have individually pocketed coils in the base, and latex or memory foam on top. Features include:
- Flatness – Most hybrid mattresses are flatter than a traditional spring mattress. These are typically good for side sleepers. They tend to have more of the density of a foam mattress instead of being tufted line an innerspring model. They also have more foam and less of the other materials you expect to see in an innerspring mattress.
- Support – You will have just the right amount of support with a hybrid mattress. The coils give the mattress the same flexibility and firmness as an innerspring mattress, giving your body the right amount of support.
- Comfort – It is study and firm, but the foam top makes it soft and comfortable at the same time. Often, memory foam is used. Not only does this provide additional support, it makes your mattress even more comfortable. You may never want to get out of bed again.
- Cost – One of the best things about a hybrid mattress is that you get the benefits of memory foam, but you don’t have to pay the price. A hybrid mattress is often much less expensive than memory foam mattresses.
For the most part, people find that they have total comfort and support when they sleep on this type of mattress. Let’s dive a little deeper and look at the “Pros” versus strictly the mattress features which we’ve already looked at.
Pros of owning a Hybrid Mattress:
- Body Contouring – An innerspring mattress just isn’t going to contour to your body like a hybrid mattress that has a foam top.
- Great Sleep – Because these mattresses are so comfortable, most users report sleeping better at night. The gentle support helps keep their bodies in alignment so they wake up feeling great.
Final Thoughts:
A new, quality mattress is not inexpensive. This is a big-ticket purchase, and something you are going to be sleeping on for probably the next 10 years or so. Make sure that before you buy a new mattress that you take the time to really look into the various styles, models, brands, etc. Try a few out in the stores to see how they feel. Both memory foam and hybrid mattresses are great options, each with their own unique features that users love. When it comes to comfort and support, you can’t go wrong with either type of mattress.
