Nolah Original Hybrid Mattress Review

“Some movement transfers from side to side, but not a ton. The blend of foam and coils strike a good balance between responsiveness and motion isolation.” – Brad

The Nolah Original Hybrid’s motion isolation is on-par with similarly constructed hybrids we’ve tested, though it falls short of models with memory foam comfort systems.

While the two-layer polyfoam comfort system absorbs quite a bit of movement, some did spread to the opposite side of the bed. In our assessments, testers noticed some movement when we dropped a kettlebell next to them or asked a testing partner to move around on the surface. That said, these tests didn’t significantly disturb our team members.

“The zoned support and pressure-relieving foam combo is very effective at both preventing and relieving pressure points without sacrificing spinal support.” – Colin

Thanks to its polyfoam comfort system and zoned support core, the Nolah Original Hybrid excels at pressure relief. The first 1.5-inch layer of the company’s proprietary AirFoam is designed to distribute the sleeper’s weight more evenly to relieve joint tension. 

The core’s pocketed coils move independently of one another for greater contouring based on the individual’s body shape. Additionally, this layer is divided into three firmness zones that reinforce areas in need of added support and compress more easily under areas that benefit from extra contouring.

We performed pressure map testing to visualize pressure buildup under our testers when lying on the Nolah Original Hybrid. Across all weight groups, this model distributed weight relatively evenly, reducing pressure points while supporting our testers’ spines.

However, some of our stomach sleepers weighing more than 130 pounds noted that they experienced more pressure buildup around the midsection.

“Sometimes, patented foams aren’t all they’re marketed to be, but that’s not the case with Nolah’s foams. These don’t retain as much heat as some of the denser options out there.” – Logan

The best hybrid mattresses often sleep cool, and the Nolah Original Hybrid follows this trend.

The bed’s Tencel cover allows air to circulate so that heat can escape. The comfort system’s AirFoam material is engineered to conform like memory foam without significantly restricting airflow, helping the mattress remain at a more neutral temperature. Air also circulates through the coil core for additional heat dissipation.

In our surface temperature readings, we detected very little heat buildup after applying and removing a heat source. Team members who lay on the mattress also reported staying at a comfortable temperature throughout the testing process.

“You can use the entire surface without rolling toward the middle, which is nice for couples and people who sleep on the side of the bed. It’s not extremely robust but most users should find the Original Hybrid’s edge support strong enough.” – Jackson

The Nolah Original Hybrid Mattress has a sturdy perimeter that’s comparable to competing hybrid models. Since the comfort system measures 3 inches, sleepers don’t have to sink in too far before reaching the supportive core. Reinforced perimeter coils boost edge support and provide consistent support across the full surface of the mattress.

Our testers of all weights could lie or sit comfortably along the edge of the bed without feeling like they were sinking. For couples, this sturdy edge support can expand how much of the mattress surface they actively use. For individuals with mobility issues, being able to sit along the perimeter can make it easier to get into or out of bed.

“The foam comfort system isn’t super thick, which prevents you from getting stuck while trying to move. However, I didn’t find the mattress particularly bouncy or responsive.” – Mary

The Nolah Original Hybrid’s responsive construction makes it relatively easy to move on. The two 1.5-inch layers of polyfoam gently hug the body, which can feel slightly restrictive for some sleepers. However, these layers respond quickly to changes in pressure, meaning sleepers don’t have to put effort into switching sleep positions. Bounce from the coil core further facilitates movement.

Most of our testers reported that they could change positions easily, but those over 230 pounds found it a bit more challenging because they sank in more deeply.

“When I unboxed this mattress, I noticed the usual foam smell, but it disappeared pretty quickly and didn’t bother me too much.” – Jeremy

Mattresses in a box that contain synthetic foam typically have some off-gassing odors, and the Nolah Original Hybrid is no different. This is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from manufacturing foam that linger before a decompressed mattress has time to air out.

The Nolah Original Hybrid is compressed after construction for easy shipment, and we found it had a “new mattress smell” when we first unpacked it. However, most of the odors dissipated within 48 hours. Additionally, Nolah uses CertiPUR-US certified foams, which means a third party verifies it meets a set of emissions and content standards.