Fun fact: You do not need a box spring with a hybrid mattress. This is a common question I see, and the pocketed coils in hybrids make a box spring unnecessary. Box springs were designed to provide extra support and enhance the performance of traditional coil beds by aligning certain sections of coils for better support. Nowadays, using a box spring with a hybrid mattress could even void your warranty—so make sure to check the fine print.
Our favorite hybrid mattress we’ve tested is the Helix Midnight Luxe, which also happens to be our top overall pick in our best mattresses guide. It features pressure-relieving foams and pocketed coils that offer targeted lumbar support.
Another great hybrid is the Nolah Evolution, which combines excellent memory foam and pocketed coils to help relieve tension and pressure points. This makes it a fantastic choice for side sleepers, but it also works well for back and stomach sleepers. The coils allow for easy movement, which is great for co-sleepers.
### Innerspring
This is more of a history lesson than a mattress type you should necessarily shop for—unless you have a strong preference for it. Traditional innerspring mattresses are the firmer beds you might remember from earlier days, consisting of innerspring coils wrapped in a cover. They’re just as squeaky as you might recall, as the coils are connected to work as a single unit.
These are Bonnell coils, which connect both laterally and vertically. When you lie down, the weight compresses all of them as one unit. While traditional innerspring mattresses won’t provide the pressure relief that modern hybrids do, they are quite responsive. This means they quickly return to their original shape, offering near-instant support if you move positions.
Why aren’t traditional coils widely used in modern mattresses? According to Merwin, upgraded pocketed coils outperform traditional ones. “Unlike traditional coils that are wired together and move as a unit, pocketed coils are individually encased, allowing each coil to respond independently to movement and pressure,” he said. “This minimizes motion transfer, so when one person moves or gets out of bed, their partner feels far less disruption. It also provides more targeted support, contouring to the body for better spinal alignment and comfort.” Traditional innerspring mattresses are slowly being phased out in favor of hybrids, and I’ve only tested a handful of them over the years. If you’re set on this mattress type, I wish you the best in your search.
The Saatva Classic is one of the modern beds that still uses traditional coils in the secondary coil layer at the bottom. This design helps with durability and support, which WIRED tester Nena Farrell has noted could benefit those experiencing back pain.
### Memory Foam
We actually have NASA to thank for memory foam. If you search for images from early space missions, it’s clear that something was needed to keep astronauts secure during rockets’ turbulence, and voila—memory foam was born. It has evolved significantly since those early days, especially when Tempur-Pedic popularized it in the ’80s as a sleep product foundation. Today, memory foam offers a unique, compressive feel.
“Memory foam is produced by combining liquid polyurethane with various chemicals, like polyols and isocyanates, to enhance its viscosity and density,” says Merwin. Without diving deep into the science, here’s what you should know: these compounds create a flexible foam that traps tiny air bubbles. As you lie on it, your body heat flows into these air pockets, softening the foam to contour around you.
For those interested in the science, Merwin explains: “The key ingredient is a polymer that creates an open-cell structure, allowing the material to respond to heat and pressure, which results in that well-known ‘hugging’ feel. The mixture is poured onto a moving line, expanding and solidifying into large foam blocks, or ‘buns.’ It’s a combination of chemistry and precision turning raw materials into a quality product.”
Memory foam is excellent for those needing pressure relief, and it also minimizes movement for restless sleepers, making it appealing for couples. However, a common issue with memory foam is heat retention; it can trap warmth, creating a sauna effect that can be uncomfortable for those who sleep hot. Many brands now infuse materials like graphite, copper, or gel, as well as advanced cooling technologies, to combat this problem.
The Bear Original has three foam layers and comes with certifications to ease concerns about memory foam’s downsides. Its CertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold certifications ensure you won’t find any questionable chemicals. Plus, adding a Celliant cover enhances the cooling feel.
The Nectar Premier is another memory foam model we’ve tested and liked, especially for side sleepers. Its foam layers are arranged to provide more pressure relief on top while offering solid support through a firmer bottom layer.
### Latex
Latex, used in everything from tires to balloons, is also great for mattresses—and it’s the good stuff! Latex acts similarly to memory foam in providing pressure relief but is much more responsive. Imagine a rubber band snapping back into shape; it’s quite similar. Many brands use organic rubber sap to make latex, generally falling into two categories: Dunlop and Talalay. These names reflect the production process, where the liquid rubber is poured into molds, heated (called “vulcanization”), and then rapidly cooled to maintain the feel. Dunlop latex tends to be firmer, while Talalay is generally softer.
Latex maintains a balanced temperature, preventing heat buildup and staying comfortably cool. WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson praised the organic latex in the Birch Luxe Natural, pointing out its excellent support for the lower back and great temperature control.
### Smart Beds
Smart mattresses allow you to adjust firmness levels at the touch of a button, thanks to internal air chambers or sensors that change coil firmness. You can modify the bed’s softness or firmness using a remote or an accompanying app.
But that’s not all that sets smart mattresses apart. Many also come with tech features like sleep trackers and auto-adjusting pressure relief layers, as seen in the Sleep Number p6 smart bed. With the continued evolution of sleep technology, smart beds are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
