Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress Review: Ratings From Our Test Lab

“Motion isolation is on point with the Hybrid Cooling Elite. The comfort layers are thick enough to absorb a lot of movement — there’s little to no transfer, even when you switch sleep positions.” – Brad

Like most hybrid mattresses, the Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite earns high marks for motion isolation. It’s topped with three layers of polyfoam and a layer of memory foam, which absorb most surface-level vibrations. Movements that do manage to reach the core do not spread significantly since the coils are pocketed and move independently of each other. This may make it a good mattress for couples.

We dropped a kettlebell on the mattress while measuring vibrational waves on the opposite side of the bed. During this test, we detected only moderate motion transfer. When lying on the bed, our team members also barely noticed when a testing partner moved around on the other side of the mattress.

“Pressure relief is an area where this mattress really shines. Plush foams and supportive coils provide the right amount of cushioning, so I didn’t feel any pressure building in areas like my shoulders and hips.” – Jeremy

The Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress incorporates a four-layer comfort system that provides significant pressure relief. The polyfoam layers gently cushion and cradle the sleeper’s body, while the memory foam molds closely to distribute pressure more evenly.

We used a pressure mapping device to visualize where our testers’ bodies pressed hardest when they lay on the Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite. The results showed a fairly even weight distribution, and our team members reported feeling little to no pressure buildup around critical regions, like the hips and shoulders.

“It’s pretty remarkable how cool this mattress sleeps given the thick foam layers, but I didn’t notice any heat retention. This should be a good option for people who live with frequent pain and run hot during the night.” – Jackson

Designed as a cooling mattress, the Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite’s temperature control is on par with many hybrid models, which often excel at temperature regulation due to their breathable coil systems.

The Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress’ cover is designed for breathability. Its top layer of polyfoam also contains graphite intended to reduce the surface temperature, and the secondary polyfoam layer is engineered to absorb and redistribute heat. Air also circulates well through the coil core, allowing warmth to escape.

Our temperature readings showed minimal lingering heat, which our team members echoed in their subjective feedback. Everyone reported maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout testing.

“Although I noticed a little compression when I sat along the edge of the Hybrid Cooling Elite, the perimeter felt pretty sturdy. Pushback from the coils goes a long way.” – Jeremy

The Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress has a sturdy perimeter due to its pocketed coil system. This trait is common among hybrid models, and it is frequently beneficial for sleepers with mobility issues who rely on a stable edge to get into and out of bed. Couples also often benefit from sturdy edges, like those of the Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite, because they make more of the mattress surface usable.

In our tests, team members of all weights felt secure sitting and sleeping along the perimeter of the Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress.

“Since the foam layers are on the thicker side, moving across the mattress can be difficult. The coils provide some bounce, but most people will encounter some resistance when getting into bed.” – Brad

Compared to other hybrid models, the Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress offers moderate ease of movement. The thick comfort system allows sleepers to sink in relatively deeply, which may complicate movement for some individuals with mobility issues. However, the springy coil system provides enough bounce to counteract this effect for most sleepers.

In general, our team members easily changed positions on the surface. However, those over 230 pounds reported slightly more difficulty. That said, we wouldn’t expect most sleepers to feel impeded.

“Off-gassing is strong when the Hybrid Cooling Elite is newly out of the box. We noticed some lingering smells for about a day, then there was no odor whatsoever.” – Jackson

The Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress may have an initial new mattress smell, which we expect from most models that contain synthetic foam. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a standard byproduct of foam manufacturing, and they don’t have time to air out when a mattress ships compressed. While typically considered harmless, some people dislike the smell.

Emma uses CertiPUR-US certified foam, so third-party tests confirm it emits low VOCs and is free from certain potentially harmful substances.

We noticed a slight odor when we unpacked the Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite Mattress in our test lab, but we could barely detect it after two days in a well-ventilated room.