Zinus 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 those tests and compare them to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

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

Factor	Zinus Hybrid	Average
Overall Score	7.37	8.53
Price (Queen)	$229	$1,387.07 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	7.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	2.36″	2.16″
Sinkage – Feel	Deep	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.2	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	9.10 m/s²	8.74 m/s²
Response Time – Score	9.6	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.7 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	12.95″	9.28″
Bounce – Feel	Very High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	7.1	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	4.50″	4.04″
Edge Support – Lying	Mediocre	Good
Sex – Score	9.1	8.4
Pressure Relief – Score	6.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	4.0″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	10″	12.1″
Off-Gassing – Score	6.1	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	14 days	6 days
Company – Score	6.5	8.6
Trial	100 nights	179 nights
Warranty	10 years	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Zinus Hybrid Different?

The Zinus Hybrid is a 10″ hybrid mattress with an overall performance level that is lower than average and a price that is also significantly lower than average—$1,387 for a queen, which is 83% less than the average hybrid mattress.

The Zinus is the definition of a cheap mattress, with lower performance to match.

Advantages

Price is the biggest advantage of the Zinus Hybrid mattress. If you absolutely have to have a mattress under $300, this one is the ticket, but just bear in mind, the performance disadvantages that you’ll need to accept.

This mattress does manage to have a faster material response time and good sex performance, given the high levels of bounce.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has deep sinkage and very high levels of bounce. While these are generally considered “feel factors” and are not really pros or cons, I will say that this level of engagement isn’t doing the mattress any favors. Pressure relief has one of the lowest scores we’ve ever tested and overall, this mattress just doesn’t feel supportive.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of the Zinus Hybrid are numerous and the mattress performs at or below average in 6 out of 8 performance tests. It disappoints with worse cooling performance, struggles with edge support, has poor pressure relief, and longer off-gassing.

The company has a shorter trial and warranty. In addition, our tests in recent years and their 2022 class action lawsuit caused us to lose much of the trust we once had in Zinus as a brand.

Zinus, as a brand, found themselves in the center of a class action lawsuit in the summer of 2022, regarding the presence of fiberglass leaking out of their mattresses. They reached a settlement in Spring 2023.

The Zinus Hybrid has fair cooling. During our tests, I felt a moderate level of heat retention around my body.

Some parts of my body experienced notably more heat to the point I would call it “hot”. However, these were more isolated hot spots. When we look at the material design of this mattress we see relatively low-quality materials, 3.0” of poly foam, and no significant cooling features.

• 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

Having a coil base is helping to bring more airflow into the mattress, however, it’s not enough to counteract the negative impact of the foam comfort layer.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 90.8° F. This is 1.0° more than the average of 89.8° F, based on all of our tests to date.

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 fair.

The Zinus Hybrid has deep sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.36″. This is 0.20″ 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 more traditional coil mattress feel. It doesn’t have any level of substantial body contouring hug. Heavier parts of the body sink down into the mattress, especially butt and midsection.

That said, even with sinking down further, those body parts don’t get a notable level of hug or contour around them.

It’s a combination of a more slight, restrained hug, while still being a deeper level of sinkage. As a result, the total feel is one of a more traditional spring or coil type mattress.

The Zinus Hybrid has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 9.10 m/s². This is 4% more motion transfer than the average of 8.74 m/s².

I was quite surprised at the low level of motion transfer. Typically, lower-priced mattresses, especially those with lower-spec coil units, perform worse for motion transfer. However, the Zinus Hybrid did a good job at keeping motion intensity held to a lower level.

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 0.22 seconds. There is a significant secondary motion spike from 0.58 to 0.79 seconds and it’s not until 1.66 seconds that we return to near zero levels of energy.

On the positive side, motion transfer energy peaks are kept to reasonable levels. However, on the negative side, this is one of the longest motion transfer durations we’ve ever tested on a mattress.

It took 1.66 seconds to fully disperse all energy. The best mattresses reduce all energy within 0.3 seconds. Needless to say, it’s less than ideal that Zinus takes such a long time to fully reduce energy and motion.

The Zinus Hybrid is a mixed bag for material responsiveness, with an extremely fast mostly recovered response time and a fast fully recovered response time.

In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.2 seconds, which is 0.23 seconds faster than the average of 0.43 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.7 seconds, which is 0.28 seconds faster than the average of 0.98 seconds. The mattress uses an all poly foam comfort layer, contains no memory foam, is equipped with a spring coil unit.

All of these factors are helping to increase material responsiveness. The fast responsiveness ensures it’s easy to move around on the mattress. Overall, I’m pleased with the level of material responsiveness and don’t expect it will be an issue for most sleepers.

The Zinus Hybrid has a very high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 12.95″. This is 3.68″ more bounce than the average of 9.27″, based on all of our tests to date.

Less expensive and lower-spec coil units typically create a higher level of bounce and that’s exactly what we measured in our tests with the Zinus. The coil unit on the Zinus is not encased in fabric.

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

Fabric-encased coils typically serve to suppress bounce. Without that fabric layer there is no bounce reduction. When we combine these material choices with a highly responsive poly foam comfort layer, we have the right material and design conditions for a very high level of bounce.

The Zinus Hybrid has good sitting edge support and mediocre lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 4.50″. This is 0.46″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 4.04″, based on all of our tests to date.

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

While sitting edge support was good, lying edge support left much to be desired. While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was mediocre in all sleeping positions.

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

The foam layers feel collapsed under my body and there is a notable support difference between the edge and the middle of the mattress.

Notably, the mattress contains no edge support foam or reinforced edge support coils. When you combine these design choices with lower-quality foam and a lower-spec coil unit, you end up with less than great lying edge support.

The Zinus Hybrid has excellent sex performance. On the positive side, bounce is extremely high and edge support is good, even if it’s not quite amazing. The higher-than-average level of bounce greatly carries the sex score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	10	Extremely High
Edge Support	20%	8.1	Good
Noise	5%	6.0	High
Pressure Relief	5%	6.0	Mediocre
Cooling	5%	7.0	Fair

When it comes to sex, more bounce is almost always better. Higher bounce helps create a more active surface for amorous activities and helps work with couples to facilitate the dance without pants.

On the negative side, noise is high due to the lower quality coil unit and non-wrapped coils, pressure relief is mediocre, and cooling is only fair. Fortunately, these three negative performance areas aren’t as important as bounce and edge support.

While we would have liked to have seen better performance, the higher-than-average performance from bounce and edge support ensured the Zinus earned a good sex score.

The Zinus Hybrid has a mediocre level of pressure relief.  During our tests, I felt notable pressure points on my body.

The mattress simply didn’t create enough comfort across all sleeping positions. The mattress is equipped with 4.0″ of comfort material, which is 0.15″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.15″, based on all of our tests to date.

While we do have a 4.0” comfort layer, the foam quality is incredibly disappointing. The poly foam layer looks and feels lower quality. It is stiffer, harder, and has a notable crunchiness to its feel.

This type of a feel often occurs in foams that are nearing the end of their life. To see the foam look and feel like this on day 1 is incredibly concerning.

Overall, I found pressure relief to be mediocre and when coupled with the foam quality issues, I am worried that pressure relief will only further decline over time on the mattress.

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 mediocre.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.14	0.77

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.09	0.70

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.10	0.85

The Zinus Hybrid had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 14 days.

This is 7.6 days longer than the average smell duration of 6.4 days. 

Zinus mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	10%	8.0	10 years
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	10	$0
Trust	50%	4.0	Terrible
Country of Origin	0%		Indonesia

Comparing 90+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 179 nights, over 2 months longer than the average. The warranty is also shorter than average, only 10 years when the average is 13 years. And this number excludes 25% of mattresses that are backed by lifetime warranties.

The Zinus Hybrid is available in a single firmness, a 6 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. This gives the mattress a medium-firm feel.

Support on the Zinus Hybrid is mediocre. During our tests, I felt an insufficient level of support in all sleeping positions.

The mattress created significant pressure relief issues, which exacerbated the support issues. The mattress is equipped with a 6.0″ support layer. This is 1.88″ thinner than the average support layer thickness of 7.88″, based on all of our tests to date. The coil unit is thinner than average, non-wrapped, and looks and feels incredibly low quality.

The coil itself feels fairly thin and unsupportive. Even at just 140 pounds, I did not feel well supported and the mattress just doesn’t have a robust level of pushback, especially for heavier parts of the body.

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

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

It’s hard to imagine sleepers of any notable weight feeling fully supported by the mattress. 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 Zinus Hybrid is mediocre.

Design

The Zinus Hybrid is a hybrid mattress that comes in a single firmness—medium-firm, 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale. The mattress we tested was 10″ thick, but the Zinus Hybrid is available in several different thicknesses—6″, 8″, 10″, or 12″.

The thickness of the comfort layer varies based on the mattress’s overall thickness, ranging from only 1″ thick on the 6″ mattress up to 6″ thick on the 12″ mattress.

Materials

The Zinus Hybrid that we tested in-house was 10″ thick and contained a combination of foam and coils. This combination gives the mattress a balanced feel. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

• 1.0” quilted cover
• 3.0” poly foam
• 6.0” coil unit

The Cover

The Zinus Hybrid has a thin, polyester cover. It doesn’t really add any luxurious feel to the mattress and may be the source of some of the heat retention issues on the Zinus.

The Comfort Layer

Below the 1.0″ cover, there is a 3.0″ comfort layer made exclusively from poly foam.

The Support Layer

The support layer is 6.0″ thick and made of an innerspring unit. These coils are very basic in design and offer lower performance.

Product Evolution

The Zinus Hybrid was added to the Zinus collection in 2023. The Zinus brand began selling mattresses in 2014. It hit a few bumps in the road when Zinus found itself targeted by a class action lawsuit in 2022. As the lawsuit details, consumers cited fiberglass leaking from the mattresses, negatively affecting their families and homes.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Zinus Hybrid is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated hybrid mattresses under $800 for budget alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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