Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid Mattress Review: A Soft Landing

I received everything sorts of questions about mattresses over the years, ranging from this could help with back pain to child-friendly options. There is, however, one small use case that has always been of particular interest to me: the best mattresses to put in your guest bedroom, vacation rental, or any space where visitors stay short-term.

Finding a mattress that will suit all sleeping positions and body types is a big challenge. When you travel, you usually look for a soft and welcoming place to land for a while. The Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid is one of those mattresses that gets it right, just in time for those last-minute vacationers you just learned will be staying with you.

Sewn

Chances are you’ve heard of Tuft & Needle. The brand was one of the first to break into the DTC (direct-to-consumer) mattress-in-a-box scene when it was founded in 2012. T&N’s awareness has continued to skyrocket, with a fairly successful track record. I’ve tested many iterations of the brand’s mattresses over the years, and they have maintained consistent quality and performance.

First of all, there is a soft cover, not cold to the touch, but smooth. Next are three proprietary foams, starting with T&N “Flex” foam, designed to conform to your body and firm up as you settle in. Next is a “Release” foam, which provides cushioning to relieve pressure. Finally, “adaptive” foam, designed for firmer support, not only keeps the body lifted, but also helps sleepers move easily. The pocket springs stay in the center for full body support, better air circulation within the mattress and better pressure relief than with a standard traditional spring.

There are two certifications to get started: CertiPur-US certified foam and GreenGuard Gold, which essentially verifies that the bed materials do not produce any harmful emissions into the air. Compared to the other types of mattresses I test and interact with it, the Tuft & Needle is actually a pretty simple build. But just because it’s not the flashiest doesn’t mean it’s not a solid mattress option.

Softer, softer

Unpacking was very easy. The box spring was a little heavier because the bed contains springs, but I was able to maneuver it on my own. Tuft & Needle recommends leaving the mattress alone for one to two hours to allow the foam layers to fully expand. I always recommend giving one or two days instead. This is a standard best practice for any mattress and gives it the wiggle room it needs to reach its full support potential. Side note: I noticed a lot more gassing the next day (typical), but it smelled like body lotion or cucumber and melon scented candles, which is not normal. This wasn’t a bad thing in itself, but it was definitely a first for me.

Full height, the mattress measures 12 inches tall, but it feels taller. My husband came into my workspace on the first day of testing and announced, “Did you smell this bed? It looks like a real marshmallow.” Afterward, I found him taking impromptu naps throughout the testing period. This plush feel can be attributed to the initial layer of T&N’s aforementioned “Flex” foam. The first night of sleep, I immediately sank into bed. Sometimes with memory foam mattresses (Tempur-Pedic comes to mind), they can feel firm at first as your body heat is absorbed. From there, the foam conforms to your body, creating a soft, supportive feeling. This is not the case with the Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid, as you get softness from the jump. This softer feel also helped isolate movement, so if I got into bed or my dogs decided to jump with me, there was no overt rocking.