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Nolah Original Hybrid Mattress Review
Sleep Foundation
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Our mission to create a healthier, more well-rested world demands that our product reviews be best-in-class. You won’t find more expertise on mattresses and sleep products anywhere else.
The Sleep Foundation product testing team uses an industry-leading evaluation process paired with real world consumer feedback to come up with objective recommendations so that you can feel confident in your product decisions.
Cushy, breathable foams and multi-zone coils give the Nolah Original Hybrid a balanced, medium firm (6) feel. Our tests show the mattress is a solid choice for side and back sleepers, hot sleepers, and people with persistent back pain.
- Strong pressure relief makes this bed a great choice for side sleepers
- Breathable construction stays cool for hot sleepers
- Balanced performance suits the needs of most combination sleepers under 230 pounds
- Stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may sink in too deeply
- Some vibrations may spread across the surface when a sleep partner moves
Nolah is an online mattress company that launched in 2015. Since its founding, its product line has expanded to include bedding, mattress accessories, bed frames, and several mattress models. The Nolah Original Hybrid has a versatile medium firm (6) feel and a 12-inch profile.
We’ll break down the Nolah Original Hybrid’s materials, construction, and pricing, as well as the company’s warranty and sleep trial policies. In addition, we’ll share highlights from our in-house testing to give you a clear idea of how the mattress performs for different sleep positions and body types.
SMART MATCHING
Is the Nolah Original Hybrid Right for You?
Use the filters below to see how well the Nolah Original Hybrid lines up with your unique needs. We'll also give you a couple other recommendations based on your answers.
TEST LAB RATINGS
How the Nolah Original Hybrid Scored
Motion Isolation7.0/10
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.
Brad Nehring, Product Testing Manager: 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.
Pressure Relief8.0/10
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.
Logan Foley, Executive Product Director: The zoned support and pressure-relieving foam combo is very effective at both preventing and relieving pressure points without sacrificing spinal support.
Temperature Control7.5/10
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.
Logan Foley, Executive Product Director: 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.
Edge Support7.5/10
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.
Brad Nehring, Product Testing Manager: 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.
Ease of Movement6.5/10
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.
Mary Fenton, Head of Product Content: 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.
HANDS-ON TESTING
Testing Team Takeaways
To test the Nolah Original Hybrid Mattress, we had three people on our testing team take the bed home and test it for one week. Here are their initial observations.
Logan Foley
Executive Product Director · Side · 140 lbs
Side · 140 lbs
“I really enjoyed the Original Hybrid. It has a nice blend of pressure relief and spinal support. I felt like both my hips and lower back got what they needed from this mattress.”
Mary Fenton
Head of Product Content · Side · 150 lbs
Side · 150 lbs
“I think this is a decent choice for combination sleeping. It was a better fit for side and back sleeping, but I didn’t get the dreaded sinking sensation while I was on my stomach.”
Brad Nehring
Product Testing Manager · Side · 215 lbs
Side · 215 lbs
“Even though I felt adequately supported while side sleeping, the foam was too compressive for me. I would have liked to feel a little more bounce.”
Who it Fits
Fit by Sleep Position and Body Weight
Sizes, dimensions and weights
Side Sleepers
Nolah’s Original Hybrid is a great mattress for side sleepers, as the polyfoam layers alleviate hip and shoulder tension without compressing too much. And since the coil core is zoned, side sleeper’s hips get extra support to promote good posture.
All of our testers found the Nolah Original Hybrid comfortable for side sleeping. Those over 130 pounds gave it the highest marks because the medium-firm (6) feel struck the right balance between softness and support for their body type. While testers under 130 pounds also found the surface reasonably comfortable, they said they prefer a slightly plusher feel.
Back Sleepers
The mattress’s top polyfoam layer cradles the hips to support the lower back’s natural curve, while the second layer of polyfoam helps prevent back sleepers from feeling the core, making it a good fit for many back sleepers. The coil core’s zoning reinforces the center of the bed, further promoting good posture.
Our testers between 130 and 230 pounds most enjoyed its combination of contouring and support. They reported that it was easy to maintain good posture, allowing them to relax their muscles. Back sleepers under 130 pounds felt the surface was slightly firmer than ideal and those over 230 pounds said they could have used a bit more support around the middle of the bed.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers typically need the most support of any sleep position, which the Original Hybrid’s medium firm (6) feel provided for some of our testers. While the top polyfoam comfort layer of the mattress cushions the surface, the second layer adds pushback and bounce to limit sinkage. The coil core’s zoning also enhances the support for a stomach sleeper’s midsection, which is critical for maintaining good posture.
Our stomach sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds noted good cushioning without much sinkage. They observed that the surface didn’t feel hard against the front of their bodies, but it supported their midsections enough to prevent their backs from curving into a U-shape. Testers under 130 pounds and over 230 pounds found the bed too firm and too soft, respectively.
Construction
Inside the Nolah Original Hybrid
Cover
Tencel
Comfort Layer
Polyfoam (AirFoam), polyfoam (EverAdapt)
Support Core
Zoned pocketed coils, fiber pad
Other Nolah Beds You Might Like
Nolah Original
8.0/108.0/10 · $649 – $1,559
Foam · Medium (5)
Nolah Signature
8.1/108.1/10 · $844 – $1,819
Foam · Medium (5)
Nolah Evolution
8.7/108.7/10 · $1,047 – $2,440
Hybrid · Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Nolah Evolution Comfort+
9.0/109.0/10 · $974 – $2,079
Hybrid · Firm (7)
Nolah Natural
8.9/108.9/10 · $1,049 – $2,398
Latex Hybrid · Medium Firm (6)
Trial, Warranty, and Delivery
365 Night
Sleep trial (30-night requirement)
Lifetime
Warranty
Free
Ground shipping (contiguous U.S.)
Availability
The Nolah Original Hybrid is available from Nolah’s official website. Orders ship within the contiguous U.S. Several third-party retailers and brick-and-mortar showrooms also sell Nolah mattresses, though different policies apply.
Shipping
Orders through Nolah’s website ship for free within the contiguous U.S. via FedEx. The Nolah Original Hybrid arrives at the customer’s door rolled, wrapped in plastic, and packed in a shipping box.
Additional Services
Nolah offers White Glove delivery through a third-party service. For a fee, a team will remove your old mattress and set up your new mattress. Alternatively, you can purchase old mattress removal or new mattress setup separately.
Sleep Trial
Nolah provides a 365-night trial period for mattresses purchased directly through the official site. After you’ve tried the mattress for 30 nights, you can initiate a return if you’re not satisfied.
Shoppers have the option to remove the trial period for a discount when placing a mattress order.
Warranty
The Nolah Original Hybrid comes with a partially prorated limited lifetime warranty. Eligible defects include visible indentations over 1 inch deep. Damage must not be due to abuse or misuse. Other terms and conditions apply.
Logan is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a deep understanding of what it means to struggle with sleep. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products – including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding – are critical to her role helping lead the editorial team. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dogs Pepper and Winston.