What Is The Difference?

With sleep being pivotal to well-being, choosing a mattress is a big decision. Understanding the difference between memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses will help you make the best choice for bedtime so you stay supported and rest comfortably.

Searching for the best mattress?

Finding your ideal mattress takes time and perseverance, though knowing your stuff is a great place to start. There is no greater feeling than diving onto your perfect match, whether that’s a memory foam or a hybrid mattress. Many sleepers searching for the perfect night’s sleep want to know the difference between these two popular mattresses. Let’s take a look.

What is a memory foam mattress?

This type of mattress is made from viscoelastic foam, designed to conform to the shape of your body in response to heat and pressure. The foams, which vary in firmness, provide unique spinal support and naturally contour to most sleeping positions. This makes them very popular in the world of bedtime. Our orthopaedic expert, Bethany Lawrence, explains how they offer benefits to sleepers: 'Memory foam mattresses can contour to your body's curves, relieving pressure points and promoting proper spinal alignment.'

One of the potential drawbacks was its tendency to retain heat. Though with advanced technology, many mattresses feature cooling layers to keep sleep breathable while providing all the benefits of memory foam.

Memory foam mattresses can sometimes be more on the firm side, which doesn’t suit sleepers who prefer a little cushioning. They also come in a wide variety of fabrics and styles, which can determine their comfort and support. While not for everyone, they can provide a supportive night’s sleep and promote healthy alignment. 

What are the benefits of a memory foam mattress? 

There are many benefits to memory foam mattresses – they provide an unforgettable sleeping experience. If you’re looking for pressure point relief, spinal support and motion isolation, a memory foam mattress performs in these key ways:

  • Contours to your body, distributing your weight
  • Reduces stress on pressure points
  • Relieves pain
  • Helps to maintain the alignment of the spine 
  • Adapts to all sleeping positions
  • Absorbs movement, so light sleepers are undisturbed

These are not the only benefits of memory foam mattresses, as memory foam is highly durable, maintaining its shape over time, making it a good mattress to sleep on. Available in different firmness levels, memory foam is also resistant to dust mites, making this fill excellent for allergy sufferers.   

What is a hybrid mattress?

Hybrid mattresses are a little newer to the scene, though they are quickly becoming the go-to for those looking for a superior night’s sleep. A hybrid mattress is a combination of different layers and technologies to provide sleepers with the best of both support and comfort. 

Hybrid mattresses blend classic pocket springs with supportive memory foam and advanced airflow technology to elevate the sleeping experience. Memory foam allows the mattress to provide unique spinal alignment while pocket springs (which vary in count and quality) deliver a slightly softer cushiony feel and reduce motion transfer- ideal for those sleepers with wriggly partners. 

When shopping for a hybrid mattress, there are a few things to consider. Materials are key to getting the best quality kip. Natural, breathable fabrics like bamboo are ideal for being thermoregulating, hypoallergenic and antibacterial, keeping bedtime ultra-fresh. 

What are the benefits of a hybrid mattress? 

A hybrid mattress combines the best of both traditional and modern sleep innovation, bringing together the elements of memory foam with springs; there are numerous benefits of a hybrid mattress ready for you to uncover:

  • Springs plus foam provides overall body support
  • A coil layer enhances breathability and airflow
  • Temperature regulation, keeping you at the freshest temperature for sleeping
  • Motion isolation so you’re not disturbed by partner movement
  • Edge support – preventing you from falling off the bed

Our original Hybrid Bamboo Mattress features six layers with two of our innovations – our BioCell Foam™, which counteracts the heat of the memory foam by infusing open-cell technology with bamboo. Supported by a layer of our DualFlex Foam™, this provides orthopaedic grade support, absorbs weight and also contours to your sleeping position. Reinforced by a layer of encapsulated springs helps to reduce motion transfer, so you’re not woken up in the night by partner movement. All of these amazing benefits are wrapped up in a breathable bamboo cover, so you wake up refreshed and rejuvenated. 

Our award-winning Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro takes your bedtime to the next level with a layer of seven zones of full-sized pocket springs, our refreshing BioCell Foam™ and our advanced OrthoAlign Foam™, which work in harmony to provide the optimum body support and spinal alignment. Reducing motion transfer, you’ll sleep undisturbed – our Pro Mattress unlocks your best rest. Temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking, you’ll remain dry and cool all night long. Providing both a comfort and anti-slip base, it has a luxuriously soft and hypoallergenic zip-off cover, so you’ll remain cosy and comfortable for many years to come.

What is the best mattress for you?

To decide whether a memory foam or hybrid mattress is best for you it’s best to ask yourself a few questions.

1. What is your sleeping position?
A good mattress will support your sleeping position. Both of these can provide you with healthy support and spinal alignment. However, a hybrid mattress can provide additional cushioning and advanced breathability to improve sleep.

2. How firm do you like your mattress?
A hybrid mattress could be the best option if you like a firm, though not too firm, mattress. The unique combination of foams and springs provides healthy support with a slightly more cushiony feel.

3. Does motion transfer bother you?
If you tend to wake in the night from your partner’s movements, a hybrid mattress will be your new best friend. The motion control technology will set you up for smooth, undisturbed nights and much fresher mornings.

Ready for bed?

If you feel like you are ready to take the dive and upgrade your bedtime, Panda's Hybrid Bamboo Mattresses come with a free UK delivery, mattress recycling and collection service and a 100-night trial to get to know each other.   

P.S. Though by night 99, don’t be surprised if you never want to sleep without it.

Sweet Dreams

Katy Gilroy
Last updated on: August 13, 2025 at 04:36PM

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