the best hybrid mattress is sort of like cake. There are always going to be a few key ingredients—in the case of a mattress, that's springs and foam. Those two elements are layered up and combined with an almost endless assortment of other ingredients (latex, coils, foam layers of various densities, assorted fabrics). The art is in the details of the recipe, and mattress brands are carefully combining each ingredient in a specific ratio to create a comfortable bed.
Hybrid mattresses are what we recommend for most people because when they're done right, they're soft but supportive and much more breathable than an all-foam bed. The only way to pick the best is to sleep on them, which is why I or any other WIRED reviewer spends a week or more sleeping on each bed, taking careful notes, and then comparing it with teammates' experiences if they have also tested that particular bed. Very rarely does one bed work for everybody, so this is especially crucial to find options tailored to your height, weight, sleeping position, and overall mattress wish list (for example, a cooling cover may be nonnegotiable for you).
We have tested all sorts of mattresses, from those focused on side sleepers, helping with back pain, organic options, and even what we deem the best mattresses overall.