After testing 100 mattresses, I was skeptical this sub-$300 Zinus hybrid could keep me cool. I was wrong.

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The Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid is an excellent choice for hot sleepers and their feline friends.

James Brains/Business

If you've ever shopped for mattresses or bed frames on Amazon, you've likely seen the name Zinus. The brand is a reputable choice for consumers who want quality materials without breaking the bank. As a mattress expert, I recommend Zinus when friends and family ask for cheap guest room mattress recommendations.

I'm always looking for the best mattresses. The Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress appeared on my radar when I wanted to test a good cooling mattress for under $500. After sleeping on it for a month, I can say it delivers for hot sleepers, though it does have some drawbacks. Below, I will cover my experiences with the Zinus Cooling Comfort bed, who should buy it, and what alternatives you may want to consider instead.

Construction

The Zinus Cooling Comfort's construction includes three foam layers and individually wrapped coils.

Zinus

The Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress combines affordability with comfort and support, offering an impressive array of quality materials for its sub-$300 price. The top three layers are made of CertiPUR-US-certified foams, ensuring the bed meets rigorous durability, content, and emissions standards. The top foam layer provides plush comfort. Below that, gel-infused memory foam offers pressure relief and cooling. Then, transition foam contours to your body and supplies support.

The base is made of individually wrapped coils, which lend the mattress support, spinal alignment, durability, and airflow. The soft, breathable knitted cover is made of OEKO-TEX-certified fabric.

The Zinus Cooling Comfort comes in five sizes, ranging from twin to California king, and five thicknesses, from 6 to 14 inches. I tested the 12-inch queen. While you can save a few bucks with one of the thinner mattresses, I don't recommend it. In my experience, beds thinner than 10 inches rarely provide enough support.

Our review of the Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress

Setup

The Zinus hybrid comes in a box the size of a mini fridge and is vacuum-sealed in plastic packaging.

James Brains/Business Insider

The Zinus Cooling Comfort mattress arrives vacuum-sealed in a box the size of a mini fridge. At 73 pounds, it's heavy, so I recommend having a friend help you unbox it. The directions make the process simple. I only needed five minutes to take the bed out of the box, remove the layers of plastic, and place it on my bed frame.

When it was free from the packaging, the Zinus immediately doubled in thickness, but it took about 24 hours to reach its full size. I had a mild initial "new bed smell," but that was gone by bedtime several hours later.

Unfortunately, in-home setup, aka "white-glove delivery," isn't available for this Amazon-exclusive mattress. However, I've recently noticed the ability to add-on to your delivery the option for someone to haul away your existing mattress for $105.

Comfort

On the Zinus, I was most comfortable on my stomach and back.

Erin Brains

Different body types and sleep positions have different comfort preferences. For reference, I'm athletically built, a little heavier: 6-foot, 225 pounds. I can sleep in any position but prefer sleeping on my side. That said, the Zinus Cooling Comfort, advertised as "medium-plush," should have been perfect for me. Yet, I found it was firmer than average (6 out of 10), and better suited for back and stomach sleepers.

I generally slept on my side on the Zinus and felt comfortable enough, but the bed lacked the dynamic pressure relief that my body craves. I occasionally awoke with shoulder or neck soreness due to poor spinal alignment. I also had trouble falling back asleep after waking. Overall, my sleep on the Zinus was good but not great. During the month I tested it, my sleep quality score average, as measured by my Garmin watch, was 62 out of 100, just off my normal 63.

While this description may sound negative, the comfort was impressive considering the Zinus's price. You aren't going to get a luxury experience for under $300.

Heat dissipation

The Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress showed outstanding heat dissipation when I used a laser thermometer to take three measurements: the surface temperature before lying down, right after getting up, and two minutes after.

The surface temperature was 89 degrees Fahrenheit right after getting up, much lower than the other affordable mattresses I've tested. The heat dissipated quickly, dropping 13 degrees in two minutes, better than the 12-degree average.

I overheat on most mattresses, but had no sweaty nights on the Zinus Cooling Comfort. These results suggest that it's the smart choice for hot sleepers on a budget, earning it a spot in our guide to the best cooling mattresses.

Edge support

Based on my objective tests, the Zinus has average edge support.

Erin Brains

Edge support helps you get into and out of bed and feel supported when sitting or lying on the side of the bed. The Zinus Cooling Comfort mattress's edge support is just average.

I evaluated the edge support by measuring how far I could roll on the side of the mattress before falling and how much the edge sank when I sat on it. When I sat, the edge compressed about 4 inches, slightly more than average.

When rolling off, I've found the beds with the best edge support allow me to get past a 45-degree angle before I fall. With the Zinus, I was right at 45 degrees. While it wasn't awful, you may want to look elsewhere if you need a bed with excellent edge support.

Motion isolation

The Zinus failed our motion isolation tests. The soda can consistently fell over when I dropped the bowling ball near it. The can stays upright on bed with good motion isolation.

Erin Brains

To measure motion isolation, I placed my phone with a vibrometer app pulled up on one side of the bed and dropped a 15-pound bowling ball on the other. This mimics the vibrations caused by your sleeping partner moving in the night.

The Zinus registered 7.5 on the vibrometer, worse than most mattresses across my testing. The individually wrapped pocket coils are supposed to help with motion isolation, but that wasn't the case here. I could also feel my wife distinctly when she joined me on the bed.

As with most mattresses with poor motion isolation, the Zinus had pretty good bounce, which sexually active couples might appreciate. Overall, though, with the average edge support and subpar motion isolation, I wouldn't recommend the Zinus Cooling Comfort hybrid to couples.

Trial period and warranty

The Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress has a 100 day trial through Amazon.

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Amazon offers a 100-night trial period for the Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress. If you don't like the Zinus, you can return it within that window for a full refund, though the process isn't completely clear. Amazon states the item must be returned in "its original condition." It's unclear if this means unused. They also don't state if you're responsible for schlepping the mattress to an Amazon return location. At the time of publishing, Amazon and Zinus hadn't returned our inquiries.

The mattress is covered by a 10-year warranty, but several catches exist. First, you must use a supportive foundation, though the warranty doesn't specify what that means. Also, the warranty is voided if you use an electric blanket or heating pad with the mattress or if you remove the Law Tag. If you avoid these loopholes and experience an indentation of over 1.5 inches or other defects of workmanship or materials, Zinus will replace your mattress or provide you with a pro-rated refund.

Cons to consider

The Zinus Cooling Comfort's biggest negative was its poor motion isolation. You don't want to feel your partner or pets moving in the night, as this can hurt your sleep quality. If you plan on sharing the bed with someone else, I'd consider upgrading to a larger size, especially considering the average edge support. This will give you a more usable sleep area and provide more distance from your partner to dampen motion.

I was bummed that the mattress was firmer than advertised. I looked forward to a nice medium-plush feel to support my side sleeping, but it was much firmer and better suited for back and stomach sleepers. It's misleading in that people seeking a plush solution may be dissatisfied, and those after a firmer bed may dismiss this viable option from their search. Heavier individuals who sleep on their side may also like the Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid. However, if you're looking for a softer bed, consider one of the alternatives below.

What are your alternatives?

The Allswell Mattress costs about the same as the Zinus, but it's a much better option for couples.

Erin Brains

Zinus is one of the most popular mattress brands on Amazon, with countless affordable options. The Zinus 12-Inch Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress is the top foam pick in our guide to the best cheap mattresses. It costs slightly more than the Cooling Comfort, but it's a better option for side sleepers and couples, thanks to its excellent motion isolation and edge support.

Still, the Zinus Green Tea is a smidge firmer than average. If you like your mattress soft, consider the Siena Memory Foam Mattress. It's under $300 and has an average firmness, which felt great sleeping on my side. Plus, it's great for hot sleepers and couples and comes with a 180-night sleep trial.

Another great budget option is the Allswell Mattress, the best cheap hybrid I've tested. At roughly the same price, the Allswell is firmer than the Zinus Cooling Comfort and sleeps warmer. Yet, it's a better option for couples, thanks to its terrific motion isolation and edge support. Best of all, I slept great on it. Read our full Allswell Mattress review.

For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best cheap mattresses.

The bottom line

For under $300, the Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid is an outstanding mattress for hot stomach and back sleepers.

Erin Brains

The Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid is the best option for hot sleepers on a budget, thanks to its impressive heat dissipation. You'll be hard-pressed to find a higher-quality hybrid mattress under $300 featuring CertiPUR-US and OEKO TEX-certified materials. It's not without its drawbacks, however. Due to its poor motion isolation, below-average edge support, and firmer than advertised feel, I recommend it for budget-conscious stomach and back sleepers who sleep alone.

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