Top 5 Best Hybrid Mattress – Definitive List

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Hybrid mattresses come in different shapes and sizes, but finding the ‘best’ one is no easy task.

To make it a bit easier, I’ve written this review of the best and worst hybrid mattresses in the UK right now. Big and small mattress brands and products are put to the test – read more about WhatMattress and how we our review process works.

🏆 Best Hybrid Mattresses UK (2024)

  1. Emma Hybrid Premium — Best overall hybrid around. Full stop.
  2. Simba Hybrid Pro — Best for comfort, with wool layer
  3. OTTY Pure Hybrid — Infused with charcoal, affordable
  4. Eve Original Hybrid — Still a classic, made in UK
  5. Tuft & Springs Solitaire 2000 — Pricey but high-quality
  6. OTTY Original Hybrid — Cheaper hybrid with good reviews

The best all-round hybrid mattress in the UK in 2024 is Emma Hybrid Premium. It's surprisingly affordable, and outperforms all other hybrid mattresses in terms of comfort. It also doesn't sag as much as other rival hybrid mattresses, even after a couple of years of testing.

Why buy a hybrid mattress?

If you’re like me, you find memory foam mattresses okay but they can be a bit too saggy. And quite often with a regular memory foam mattress, you’ll sink right into the foam and then you’ll run the risk of back pains, particularly if you’re prone to orthopaedic problems.

Another common complaint with regular memory foam mattress is the heat build up. This means, quite simply, that you get too hot in bed –  particularly in summer.

The mattress industry thinks there is a solution to these issues: they’re called hybrid mattresses. A hybrid combines the ‘best of both worlds’, a bit like those Best Of Both loaves of bread. In a nutshell, hybrids combine both a memory foam and a pocket spring mattress.

An example of a hybrid mattress (interior)

As you can see, this example hybrid mattress has several different layers inside. The blue layer is the memory foam, and below that, the grey layer is the pocket sprung layer.

These layers are then wrapped in the outer textile/fabric covers  and – optionally – can include other layers of memory foam, wool or other add-ons.

These are just the basics. There’s a lot more to explaining what a hybrid spring/foam mattress is so if you want more information, keep reading below as I tell you my best and worst hybrid mattresses on sale in the UK right now.

Or, if you want to just find out the best overall mattress, read this article.

Top Hybrid Mattresses: Comparison

A comparison of the best UK hybrid mattresses
BEST IN TEST
Emma NextGen Premium

Simba Hybrid Luxe

Eve Original Hybrid

Simba Hybrid Pro

OTTY Pure

Simba Hybrid

Eve Premium Hybrid
WhatMattress
Rating
4.6 4.5 4.4 4.3 4.3 3.9 3.9
User Rating 4.3 4.4 4.3 4.5 4.3 4.0 4.2
Price£359.55£499.00£407.00£367.00£274.50£488.00£407.00
More infoMore infoMore infoMore infoMore infoMore infoMore info
Read my Emma NextGen Premium reviewRead my Simba Hybrid Luxe reviewRead my Eve Original Hybrid reviewRead my Simba Hybrid Pro reviewRead my OTTY PURE Hybrid reviewRead my Simba Hybrid reviewRead Eve Premium Hybrid my review

Which hybrid mattress is actually the best?

Without further ado, here are my top hybrid mattresses you can buy right now.

Unlike other websites I try to update this as often as I can, around once a week or so if needed.

BrandPriceNo. of SpringsComfort LevelWhatMattress Rating
Emma Hybrid PremiumÂŁ5992000Medium-Soft4.8/5
OTTY Pure HybridÂŁ3992000Medium-Firm4.7/5
OTTY Original HybridÂŁ4192000Medium-Firm4.5/5
Simba HybridÂŁ5892500Medium-Firm4.3/5
Simba Hybrid ProÂŁ6995000Firm4.4/5
Tuft & Springs Solitaire 2000ÂŁ7992000Medium-Soft4.8/5
Eve Original HybridÂŁ4996500Medium-Soft4.2/5

Prices subject to change, use a mattress discount code to get the cheapest price.

1. Emma Hybrid Premium

All round winner, affordable softer hybrid

Firmness: Medium-Soft
Review: Full Emma Hybrid Premium review
Price: From ÂŁ599.00

Are you what’s known as a “hot sleeper”? I feel you! As a rule I’ll wake up on the sweat-soaked side and feel rather awkward, so I know the requirement for an appropriate cooling mattress that doesn’t run too hot.

The Emma Hybrid is different slightly to the Emma Original. Why? because this time, as the name suggests, it’s a Hybrid.

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The Emma Hybrid Premium is made of four layers beginning with the Airgocell layer at the top. This is the most breathable layer to allow hot air to get away and expel dampness so you don’t wake up sweat-soaked. It’s ideal for most sleeper types – think of it as the Ford Focus of the mattress world.

This is a softer-than-standard hybrid mattress, though the HD foam layer gives it a decent firm base and sides. If you find some mattresses too firm then this one’s great. It’s much more usable for most people, except perhaps heavier back sleepers and heavier side sleepers. If you fall into that category, then please read this first.

Overall though, a worthy winner and I recommend the Emma Hybrid Premium as the WhatMattress #1 Hybrid choice.

Why You Can Trust WhatMattress

We're completely independent from any mattress company. We've spent countless hours curating and reviewing mattresses that anyone can buy in the UK, and have been doing so since 2018.
Mattresses tested:
82
Total hours testing:
602
Pillows tested:
24
Total hours testing:
183
Duvets tested:
35+
Funds spent on testing:
£7,500+

2. OTTY Pure Hybrid

Hypoallergenic, hygienic hybrid

Firmness: Medium-Firm
Review: Full OTTY PURE Hybrid review
Sizes: Single, double, king & superking
Price: From ÂŁ399

  • 100-night trial
  • Sleeps back, side, and front sleepers (Medium-Firm)
  • Environmentally friendly bamboo fabric
  • Hypoallergenic, odour reducing
  • Breathable and cooling with charcoal layer
  • Surprisingly affordable

The OTTY Pure is a new type of mattress in the UK, in a way. It has a charcoal-infused memory foam layer which sets it apart from anything else. Why charcoal, you ask? Because it’s good at wicking away odours, germs and allergens. If your current mattress smells a bit, particularly if you’re a heavy sweater in the night, then an odour-controlled mattress makes a lot of sense. It’s fully Certi-PUR certified and the bamboo/cotton mix cover is also pioneering. I can’t think of any other mattress-in-a-box that does this much, and for so little money.

A few negatives to bear in mind: The cover is dry-clean only, and it’s made in China rather than here in the UK. Other than that, I find it hard to fault.

For those looking for something a little different to the norm (i.e by brands like Eve Sleep and Emma) then give the OTTY Pure a go. It’s my runner up choice for hybrid mattress, and quite frankly as it’s an OTTY known for their plain-speaking, you’re unlikely to get confused with mumbo-jumbo and marketing gobbledygook.

If you’re looking for an affordable hybrid mattress, with a few extra hygiene benefits, this is the one.

 

3. Simba Hybrid Pro

Luxurious, feature-rich, but not cheap

Firmness: Firm
Review: Full Simba Hybrid Pro review
Price: From ÂŁ599.00

The Simba Hybrid Pro, the upgraded version of the Simba Hybrid mattress, has received many positive reviews & awards. Generally the Simba Hybrid range is targeted at people who appreciate the premium materials and advanced design that goes into its construction. The mattress is designed with seven layers of foam and micro-pocket springs to provide a comfortable and supportive sleep surface; the Hybrid Pro also features a unique Simba-Pure foam layer that provides additional pressure relief for the hips and shoulders, which can be especially beneficial for side sleepers.

Another positive aspect of the Simba Hybrid Pro is that it is available in all standard UK sizes, including Single, Double, King, and Super King.. In addition, the mattress comes with a 200-night (7 months) trial period, which allows you to try it out for an extended period and decide if it’s right or not.

However, there are also some potential downsides to the Simba Hybrid Pro. One of the most significant is its high price point… frankly, you may find that the regular Simba Hybrid is just as capable (it costs typically about ÂŁ250 less), and it also has the potential benefit of being less firm.

It’s worth pointing out that all Simba mattresses are made in the UK; this justifies its high price to an extent. Additionally, the Hybrid Pro mattress may not be suitable for sleepers who prefer a softer sleeping surface, as it is designed to provide a medium-firm comfort level – but I found it to be firmer than the marketing suggests (as with most Simba mattresses).

Also, the Simba Hybrid Pro is relatively heavy and may be challenging to move around. So you really do need two people to move it, even in the box.

Overall, the Simba Hybrid Pro has many positive features that make it an excellent choice for some sleepers, but its high price point may drive some away.

4. Tuft & Springs Solitaire 2000

Best for allergy sufferers

Firmness: Medium-Soft

If you’re somebody that suffers from allergies, or for whom keeping dust and dirt to an absolute minimum is a priority, the Solitaire mattress may be what you’re looking for. Beneath a textured cover made of luxury, soft-touch stretch fabric is a generous layer of synthetic memory foam and reflex foam. It’s not got the charcoal memory foam layer, like the OTTY Pure, but other than that it ticks all the right hypoallergenic boxes.

Memory foam is a polyurethane-based material that is renowned for its ability to distribute pressure and essentially it will re-form as pressure is moved across its surface. Used as part of a mattress, it offers an excellent level of support, without the billowing and bouncing which can be all too common in inferior mattresses. Air vents and synthetic materials make it difficult for germs and bugs to thrive, maximising the chances of a hygienic sleep experience.

And the top cover of this is a Damask Cover which looks nice and classy but is also highly breathable, so much so that when combined with the air vents on the side it famously leaves a cool and comfortable mattress, according to the reviews.

Now it must be good quality because it’s made in the UK, or so the saying goes. Actually: a lot of mattresses are made in the UK (surprisingly) and not all of them are that good.

This mattress collection features natural materials including wool, cotton, fine cashmere and silk. These luxury layers of comfort are nestled on top of high-quality pocket springs for unrivalled support in a range of firmness ratings to suit you.

It’s no-flip which avoids a pain in the bum but you should occasionally turn it and you’ve got handles stitched into the side to make the process a little easier.

5. Nectar Sleep Memory Foam

Best for those looking for something different

Firmness: Medium-Firm
Review: Full Nectar Memory Foam review

Okay, so this isn’t a Hybrid but I just wanted to mention it, in case you’re not 100% deadset on buying a hybrid…

If you want to buy from a known brand and market leader, then Nectar are the mattress that you need.

The Nectar Sleep (as it’s sometimes called) mattress is the only memory foam mattress I’ve ever come across that comes with a 365-night trial. When you consider most mattresses only become truly “broken in” after the first couple of months or so, and possibly longer, that extra time is extremely valuable for finding out how your mattress will feel in the long term.

And although most regular memory foam mattresses can also be problematic for front-sleepers, Nectar have tried hard to overcome this.

It’s one of the most comfortable mattresses I’ve tested (see my Nectar comparison here vs Emma mattress) Not quite as firm as a Simba, it hits a perfect middle ground that should appeal to a wide range of people and cater to a range of different sleeping positions. It isn’t a hybrid mattress, once again, but it’s still worthy of consideration.

It’s also available within 3-5 working days currently, unlike other brands which have a much longer lead time for delivery in the UK.

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Simba Sleep were one of the first companies to offer a Hybrid. But now there are many competitors.

What are the benefits of Hybrid mattresses?

There are quite a few benefits to these mattresses – the correct level of firmness/softness (for most people) being the main one.

They tend to be a bit more expensive, compared with regular memory foam mattresses, but often they are worth the premium.

Here I will outline the main advantages:

  • Great pressure relief, spine alignment, minimal motion transfer
  • With the bounce and “normal” feel of an old-school spring mattress
  • Generally easier to transport, i.e. still can be vacuumed into a box, so cheaper to deliver (but they’re not “light”).
  • A good mix of old & new technology

And what are the drawbacks?

  • Price. Yes, they’re quite expensive, though not as expensive as they once were. Expect to pay around ÂŁ600 – ÂŁ1200.
  • Heat retention. Though they retain a lot less heat than memory foam mattresses, there is still some to consider.
  • Noise. Inner spring mattresses including hybrids can make a noise as the springs compress. It won’t be as noticeable as a regular pocket sprung mattress, though.

Who are Hybrid mattresses NOT ideal for?

While hybrid mattresses can be a great choice for many people, there are certain situations where they may not be the best option, soere are some examples of when you may find hybrid mattresses unsuitable:

  • Heavier people: Hybrid mattresses can be less suitable for people who are heavier, as the softer layers can compress more under weight, causing them to sink too deeply into the mattress. This can cause discomfort, pressure points, and even affect spinal alignment. In this case, an all-foam or a firmer innerspring mattress may be a better option. Find out more about suitable mattresses for heavier people here.
  • People with allergies: Hybrid mattresses often contain foam and latex layers, which can be made of either synthetic or natural materials, and some people may have allergic reactions to certain components of these layers. Some companies such as Simba claim that their Hybrid mattresses are hypoallergenic. But, people with allergies should carefully review the materials used in the hybrid mattress they are considering and opt for mattresses that use hypoallergenic materials.
  • People on a tighter budget: Hybrid mattresses tend to be more expensive than other types of mattresses due to their construction and the use of premium materials. If you’re on a tight budget, you may find that a simple innerspring or foam mattress is more suitable for your needs. You *can* still just about buy a decent mattress for less than ÂŁ200 in the UK, but it’s becoming more difficult.

How many springs should I look for, in a Hybrid?

My best recommendation is to always look closer at the photos of the pocket springs (these are the individually wrapped springs that work by compression, giving you the support where you need it without just generally moving down underneath you).

What you want to avoid is the older style springs.

Why? Because older, more dated spring systems moved as a single piece, so if you jumped into bed, you’d jump your partner out the other side! And if your hips pushed the springs down it’d be pushed down under your lower back which can lead to pain, instead of pushing down at your hips and pushing down a lot less at your back for a full-body support system. This article clarifies a little more.

Verdict: What is the Top Hybrid Mattress in 2024?

Hopefully you’ve now had a chance to read the above and decide which of the Hybrids are the best.

The Emma Hybrid Premium (compare to the Emma Original here) is the everyman hybrid mattress. It has come out of nowhere almost, and is surprisingly affordable.

The Simba Hybrid Pro is a luxurious and firm premium-level mattress, though it’s not cheap.

And while OTTY mattresses are not made in the UK, so they lose a point there, but if that doesn’t bother you, then they’re highly affordable and have many of the same features as Simba.

On balance I think that the bigger brands are edging ahead, and I really like the Nectar offering, even though it’s a memory foam. It strikes the right mix of features, comfort and price – though use a discount code if you can find one.

I hope that this ‘best hybrid mattress’ review has been helpful so if you’ve got any feedback on any of these or other hybrid mattresses please leave your comments below.

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What are the benefits of Hybrid mattresses?

There are quite a few benefits to these mattresses - the correct level of firmness/softness (for most people) being the main one. They tend to be a bit more expensive, compared with regular memory foam mattresses, but often they are worth the premium.

What about the springs in a Hybrid?

My best recommendation is to always look closer at the photos of the pocket springs. These are individually wrapped springs that work by moving individually giving you the support where you need it without just generally moving down underneath you. What you want to avoid is the older style springs...

Verdict: What is the Best Hybrid Mattress 2023?

Hopefully you've had a chance to read the above and decide which of the Hybrids are the best. On balance I think that the bigger brands are okay, and I really like the Nectar offering. It strikes the right mix of features, comfort and price - though use a discount code if you can find one.

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How we reviewed this article:

Edit History:

Our experts continually monitor the mattress & sleep tech space, and we update our reviews & articles when new information becomes available.

  • 15th February 2024
    Current Article - By Carrie Taylor
  • 15th February 2024
    Checked & Reviewed - By Jean Marshall
  • 6th March 2023
    Copy Edited - By Carrie Taylor
  • 15th February 2024
    Reviewed - By Carrie Taylor

6 comments on “Top 5 Best Hybrid Mattress – Definitive List

  1. We bought a Nectar memory foam mattress last year, lovely and comfortable but for a hot sleeper – oh my god!! it’s like trying to sleep on top of a bonfire.
    Have been looking at changing it for an Otty – which from all I have read are on the firm side which we want, but without the heat retaining properties that pure memory foam mattress’s tend to suffer from. The only thing that puts me off is the long term durability question mark and the fact it is not made in the UK.
    I did read with interest your observations on the Benfield group but they don’t seem to produce a hybrid mattress for direct sale or am I wrong with this?
    Your advise would be appreciated

  2. For years I suffered with some problems with my back caused by my old Leesa mattress it really was not very good, now i am looking for a hybrid one can you please tell me which one is best for overweight people, i weigh just over 18 stone.

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