Serta iSeries Hybrid Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and feel of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Serta iSeries Hybrid	Average
Overall Score	8.61	8.55
Price (Queen)	$2,099	$1,418 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	2.32″	2.16″
Sinkage – Feel	Deep	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.8	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	7.77 m/s²	8.74 m/s²
Response Time – Score	7.5	8.9
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.6 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	1.1 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	7.02″	9.30″
Bounce – Feel	Low	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.1	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.75″	4.05″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	7.7	8.4
Pressure Relief – Score	9.0	8.7
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.0″	4.2″
Mattress Thickness	12″	12.1″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.1	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	7 days	6 days
Company – Score	8.5	8.6
Trial	120 nights	179 nights
Warranty	10 years	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Serta iSeries Different?

The Serta iSeries is a 12″ hybrid mattress with an overall performance score that is above average, but also a price tag that is above the average as well, costing sleepers an extra 48% or $681 for a queen mattress.

Advantages

Advantages of the iSeries include better cooling performance, lower levels of motion transfer, and better edge support. In our tests, we measured 3.75″ of sinkage when seated at the edge and excellent lying support.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has a deep level of sinkage and low levels of bounce. If you like the feel of a deeper contour and a more restrained feel, the iSeries could be the right mattress for you.

Disadvantages

The material response time is slightly slower than average and the mattress has thinner comfort layer, only 3.0″ compared to the 4.2″ average. Off-gassing also takes 1 day longer than average. If you’re sensitive to strong odors, this could be an issue, but I would not expect it to be hugely impactful.

Looking at all testing categories, sex takes the biggest hit, thanks mostly to the lower bounce level.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body.

The mattress seems to breathe well and doesn’t get hot. The mattress is equipped with a cooling cover, which has a notably cool-to-the-touch feel.

In addition, the iSeries also uses a memory foam layer infused with carbon fiber, which is designed to help better resist heat retention.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

Overall, I’m pleased with the design, materials, and quality, all of which seem to be having a positive impact on the cooling performance.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 90.7° F. This is 1.0° more than the average of 89.7° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 6.0° from minutes 0 to 1, which is 1.2° cooler than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.8°.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is excellent.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has deep sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.32″. This is 0.16″ more sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.16″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The mattress creates a dramatic body-contouring hug. The Serta iSeries has more of a modern memory foam feel.

By that I mean there is lots of hug, contour, and the foams closely wrap to your exact shape. However, material responsiveness is still reasonably quick and there is no sensation of feeling “stuck” or overly enveloped by the mattress.

Even lighter parts of my body were able to sink down in the mattress, creating a consistent and pleasant pressure relief.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 7.77 m/s². This is 11% less motion transfer than the average of 8.74 m/s².

The 1.0” memory foam layer on top of the mattress and a lower-than-average level of bounce are both having a significant impact helping to reduce and mitigate motion transfer.

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.15 seconds. Motion plummets immediately thereafter and by 0.74 seconds we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy.

Both the motion duration and motion intensity are kept to very reasonable levels. Overall, I’m pleased with the motion transfer performance and don’t expect it will be an issue for most sleepers.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has a moderate material response. In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.6 seconds, which is 0.17 seconds slower than the average of 0.43 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 1.1 seconds, which is 0.13 seconds slower than the average of 0.97 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

The slower-than-average responsiveness speeds are primarily a result of the 1.0” memory foam layer on top of the mattress. This layer simply takes a little longer to recover back to shape after it has been compressed.

Even so, while it is far from instant, it’s not an excessively slow responsiveness either. The mattress is reasonably fast to recover and doesn’t create any type of a stuck feel. As a result, I found ease of movement was reasonably good as well.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has a low level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 7.02″. This is 2.28″ less bounce than the average of 9.30″, based on all of our tests to date.

As with so many other performance areas, the 1.0” memory foam layer on top of the mattress is having a significant impact on the level of bounce. The memory foam has a slower-than-average responsiveness, which limits the level of bounce and material recovery.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

The lower bounce is great for lowering motion transfer. However, it is the primary reason sex performance on the mattress is far from ideal. While the level of bounce is below average, it’s still sufficient enough to create reasonably good ease of movement.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has excellent sitting edge support and excellent lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.75″. This is 0.30″ less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.05″, based on all of our tests to date.

Even while sitting directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well supported and there was no collapse of materials.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was excellent in all sleeping positions.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

The iSeries Hybrid uses a robust edge support foam that runs along the entire perimeter of the mattress. This foam is 4″ wide and 8″ tall. It is undoubtedly having a significant impact on edge support performance for both sitting and lying.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has fair sex performance. On the positive side, noise is minimal while edge support, pressure relief, and cooling are all excellent. The biggest issue for the mattress is the lack of bounce.

At just 7.02” of total bounce height, the iSeries has notably less bounce than average. When it comes to sex performance, more bounce is almost always better than less bounce. Ideally, I like to see 10” of bounce or more.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	6.9	Low
Edge Support	20%	9.1	Excellent
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	9.0	Excellent
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

Suffice to say, the iSeries Hybrid is far from that mark. The more limited bounce certainly helps motion transfer, but when it comes to sex performance it makes the mattress more difficult and strenuous for amorous activities.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has an excellent level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no significant pressure points on my body. The mattress remained perfectly comfortable to lie on during our testing.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid has 1.16″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.16″, based on all of our tests to date. Despite the more limited comfort layer, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the quality, performance, and feel of the foams the iSeries uses.

Each foam layer looks and feels high quality and feels good on the body and in hand. The mattress does a nice job of creating ample comfort, pressure relief, and body contouring hug, without creating a stuck feeling or pressure points.

In our pressure mapping test, we measured a max PSI of 0.87. A PSI of 2.0 is a high pressure point and the iSeries didn’t come anywhere near those levels.

When I consider our objective pressure mapping tests, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be excellent.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.15	0.87

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.08	0.52

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.09	0.87

The Serta iSeries Hybrid had a strong smell upon arrival. The mattress smelled for 7 days. This is 0.6 days more than the average of 6.4 days. 

Serta mattresses come with a 120-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free as well.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	8.0	120 nights
Warranty	10%	8.0	10 years
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	10	$0
Trust	50%	8.0	Good
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Comparing all mattresses tested to date (over 300+), the average trial period is 177 nights so Serta is almost 2 months shorter than average.

In addition, the warranty is shorter than average warranty length of 13 years, excluding the 25% of mattresses that offer lifetime warranties.

The Serta iSeries Hybrid is available in a range of firmnesses and feels. There are three different levels and three different feels, although not every firmness is available in each level.

The table below shows the three levels of Series currently available as well as the associated firmnesses, price, and mattress thickness.

Level	Firmnesses Available	Price (Queen)	Thickness
Standard	Medium Only	$2099	12.0″
Enhanced	Firm Only	$2399	12.5″
Ultimate	Plush or Medium	$2899	13.5″

For reference, we tested the standard level in the medium version. We found the medium to have a medium-firm feel, 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale.

A mattress with a softer feel may be well-suited to lighter-weighted sleepers or those who sleep on the side. A firmer mattress may be better for heavier sleepers or those who sleep on their back or stomach.

We estimate that the plush version is a 4 out of 10 firmness, while the firm version is an 8 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm.

Support on the Serta iSeries Hybrid is excellent. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress uses a proven hybrid design, quality materials, and has sufficient pressure relief.

The iSeries Hybrid is equipped with a 9.0″ support layer. This is 1.13″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.87″, based on all of our tests to date.

The standard version that we tested is available in a single firmness, which gives it a medium-firm feel. Medium-firmness is ideal for most body types and all sleeping positions.

The iSeries Hybrid is available in 3 different levels, including standard, enhanced, and ultimate. Each of the different level has a slightly different material configuration and provides 1-3 different firmness options (plush, medium, or firm).

Having multiple firmness options is ideal, as it helps ensure there is a comfort level that can meet your body’s needs and preferences.

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident most sleepers will find support on the Serta iSeries Hybrid is excellent.

Check out the tables below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for each version of this mattress.

Medium (Standard & Ultimate)

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

Firm (Enhanced Only)

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	No	No	No
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes

Plush (Ultimate Only)

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Maybe	Yes	Maybe
250-300 lbs.	No	No	No

Design

The Serta iSeries Hybrid is a hybrid mattress available in multiple levels and firmnesses. The price ranges from $2,099 – $2,899 for a queen mattress, depending on what level you go with.

The data below reflects the Standard iSeries Hybrid only (in terms of thickness and firmnesses available).

For a thicker mattress, check out the Enhanced or Ultimate levels of the iSeries Hybrid. These levels have a thicker profile between 12.5 and 13.5″ thick.

Materials

In total, there are five layers that make up the 12″ thickness of the Standard iSeries Hybrid. From top to bottom, these layers include:

• 1.0” memory foam
• 1.5” poly foam
• 0.5” poly foam
• 8.0” pocketed coils
• 1.0” fiber pad

The Cover

The cover of the iSeries Hybrid is cool to the touch and very breathable. It is thin and stretchy, featuring an organic navy and light blue pattern that hides stains and has a modern aesthetic to it.

The Comfort Layer

Beneath the cover is the comfort layer. This comfort layer is made up of two layers of foam. There is a 1.0” memory foam (dark blue), followed by a 1.5” poly foam (yellow).

The third layer is a 0.5” poly foam, but the purpose of this layer is more for transitional support, as it sits right above the support layer.

The Support Layer

The support layer is primarily made of coils, featuring an 8.0” pocketed coil 5-zoned system as well as a 1.0” fiber pad at the base.

There is a perimeter foam that runs along the edge of the mattress. This foam is thick and designed to improve edge support when sitting or lying at or near the edge.

Product Evolution

The Serta iSeries first released in 2012. Over the years, the iSeries collection has evolved and expanded significantly. With mattress design, product names, and materials being updated with each successive iteration.

The current flagship iSeries collection launched in early 2024. It includes 3 levels, standard, enhanced, and ultimate. In addition, it includes 3 firmness levels.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Serta iSeries is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated hybrid mattresses for high-performing alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Serta iSeries Hybrid mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.