Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Review

Editor’s Note: The all-foam Puffy Royal has been discontinued, but the Puffy Royal Hybrid is an even better choice for hot sleepers and side sleepers. Check out this review to see how the Royal compares to the Royal Hybrid.

The Mattress Nerd’s Take: The Puffy Royal Hybrid is a thick, plush mattress made with four layers of foam atop a sturdy coil support layer. It includes zoned Sectional Cloud technology to keep heavier parts of the body (the lower back and hips) properly elevated, while allowing for a softer feel for lighter parts of the body (the head, neck, shoulders and feet). While it’s not ideal for most stomach sleepers, the Puffy Royal Hybrid is a comfortable mattress for side sleepers and those who want a bit of extra cushioning to keep their joints feeling cradled. The mattress also earns top marks for motion isolation, which will please anyone with a sleep partner who is sensitive to movement. If you know the Puffy Royal Hybrid is not for you, see the best mattress for stomach sleepers.

Who is the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Best For?

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers are typically some of the easiest sleepers to please: The best mattresses for back sleepers evenly distribute the body weight and don’t allow the hips to cave down into the mattress. The Puffy Royal Hybrid provides a great sleep surface for lightweight and average-weight back sleepers because the supportive coils in the base of the bed keep the hips elevated, as well as the zoned cloud technology. Heavyweight back sleepers unfortunately may find themselves dipping too deeply into the Puffy Royal Hybrid: Their hips may sink down a bit too far into the bed’s four foam comfort layers. Still, some heavyweight back sleepers will find that the individually wrapped coils are the perfect support.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers are especially at risk from a lack of spinal alignment if their mattress is too soft, which is why the Puffy Royal Hybrid isn’t the best fit for lightweight, average-weight or heavyweight stomach sleepers. The four soft, cushiony layers of foam will allow the hips of stomach sleepers to press too far down into the mattress, leading to a disruption of the spine’s natural “S” curve and possible back pain. Stomach sleepers should look for a dense all-foam or supportive hybrid mattress that keeps the hips and lower back properly elevated atop the bed. If you are are looking for a more supportive option, see the best mattress for heavy people.

Side Sleepers

Many side sleepers will love the Puffy Royal Hybrid because of its soft, cradling comfort layers. Since side sleepers lie on the bed with sensitive joints like the hips and shoulders pointing directly down into the mattress, it’s especially important that they find a mattress that isn’t too firm and allows their body to sink into the bed. Lightweight and average-weight side sleepers are most likely to love the Puffy Royal Hybrid, although many heavyweight side sleepers might also enjoy the four comfort layers that make up the top portion of the bed. Other heavyweight sleepers may sink too far down into those comfort layers, causing them to “bottom out” or come into contact with the responsive coils underneath. Some mattresses cater to heavier sleepers, such as the Layla, among our best mattresses for side sleepers.

Combination Sleepers

If you tend to move around often at night and change sleep positions on a whim, you are what we’d call a “combination sleeper.” Since the Puffy Royal Hybrid is very thick and cloud-like, it doesn’t feature a responsiveness level that we think will be ideal for most combination sleepers, who require a responsive mattress that allows them to move around easily into different positions. Still, lightweight and average-weight combination sleepers who don’t spend too much time on their stomach might appreciate the Puffy Royal Hybrid’s luxurious feel. We’d recommend that heavyweight combination sleepers steer clear of the Puffy Royal Hybrid, because it doesn’t perform well for two out of three heavyweight sleep positions in our chart above. Toss and turn at night? Then peruse our best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Review Video

How Does the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Feel? 

Responsiveness, Bounce and Ease of Movement 

A bed with good responsiveness is important for sleepers who move around often or who hate the feeling of being “stuck” in their mattress. Because the Puffy Royal Hybrid is so soft and has a thick layer of padding atop the individually wrapped coils, it isn’t too responsive and can be a difficult surface to maneuver on. When we tested the mattress in our sleep lab, it took our testers a bit of extra effort to sit up in bed and change sleep positions. Still, the Puffy Royal Hybrid’s 6” layer of individually wrapped coils adds a bit of responsiveness to the bed. And while some people may not love the snug, secure sensation of  the Puffy Royal Hybrid, it is a dream come true for other sleepers who are looking for a cozy feel.

How Firm Is This Mattress?

The Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress has a firmness level that matches its name: It’s just that, Puffy, landing it on the softer side of our mattress firmness scale. On our scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most firm mattress you can imagine, the Puffy only ranks a 4 out of 10. It’s good for side sleepers who need a soft surface to keep their hips and shoulders comfortable and want to avoid them being unnecessarily jammed into a too-firm bed. Those with arthritis or other ailments that affect the joints could also feel relief on this mattress, especially if they sleep on their side. On the other hand, it’s not great for stomach sleepers or people who desire a firm, ultra-supportive bed. If you are looking for a mattress that keeps you on top of the bed, check out our picks for the best firm mattresses.

Does It Sleep Hot? 

The Puffy Royal is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to cooling. It’s a hybrid bed with individually wrapped coils, which initially would give the impression that the bed is better at cooling than, say, an all-foam bed. But the top section of the mattress is made of layer after layer of soft memory foam, which can trap body heat and make the sleeper feel a bit stifled. Though the brand infuses cooling beads into the top foam layer of construction, our team doesn’t think this mitigates the heat-trapping effects of memory foam enough to justify the purchase of this bed for a hot sleeper. After all, the best cooling mattresses are made with cooling materials like latex and breathable coils. 

Is the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Good For Couples? 

Couples who sleep in the same bed typically prefer mattresses that isolate motion, or dampen movement on one side of the bed so it doesn’t spread to the other side—a top quality for the best mattresses for couples. Though the individually wrapped coils in the Puffy Royal Hybrid are common in beds with high motion transfer, the thick foam layers that make up the top part of the Puffy Royal Hybrid help guard against motion transfer. In our in-lab testing process, very little movement passed from one side of the mattress to the other. That’s great news for couples, especially if one partner tends to get up in the middle of the night often for a midnight snack or water.

How’s the Edge Support? 

“Edge support” is important to people who move around often in their sleep, venturing out to the edge of their bed. In short, it’s the amount of support a bed offers around its perimeter. Since the Puffy Royal Hybrid is so fluffy and soft, its edge support is not as great as the edge support we’ve seen in other hybrid beds. The innerspring coils in this mattress offer a bit of support, but some individuals may still feel unstable when sitting or lying along the edge of the bed.

Construction: What’s Under the Surface?

Perfect for many side sleepers and back sleepers, the Puffy Royal Hybrid includes a mixture of breathable coils and foam that delivers support while creating a deluxe, soft feeling for the body. The polyester cover and memory foams in the Puffy Royal Hybrid certainly don’t offer a lot of relief for hot sleepers, but the 6” tall coils provide breathability and react to the body’s movements as sleepers shift positions in bed.

Layer #1: Polyester Cover: The polyester cover that encases the Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress is soft to the touch and accented with little cloud shapes woven into the stitching. When we put our hands on it during our in-house testing process, the cover didn’t feel cool to the touch, but it is thick and should last for a long time. 

Layer #2: Gel-Infused Cooling Foam: The top layer of premium foam in the Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress is 1.5” thick, and it’s infused with cooling gel for a bit of extra cooling. This foam feels airy and breathable when we press our fingers into it. This top layer of contouring foam is the first tier of cradling pressure-point relief for sensitive joints.

Layer #3: Plush Dual Cloud Foam: Next up is the Plush Dual Cloud foam layer, a slow-moving, viscous material. This 1.5” tier allows the body to sink more deeply into the mattress, which is especially important for side sleepers who need adequate sinkage around the hips to promote healthy lateral spinal alignment. This cloud foam lets sleepers sink in for deep pressure relief, making the Puffy one of our picks for the best mattresses for hip pain.

Layer #4: Climate Comfort Foam: The 2” tall Climate Comfort foam cooling layer provides some extra heat-dispersion capacity for the mattress, and it’s a bit denser than the top two foam layers. The Climate Comfort foam helps cushion the body and increases the bed’s softness.

Layer #5: Sectional Cloud Technology Foam: The final layer of foam, a 2” Sectional Cloud Technology foam layer, adds more thickness to the top comfort layers and creates a more luxurious feel for sleepers. Still, each extra layer of foam makes it more difficult for hot sleepers to stay cool and comfortable on the bed.

Layer #6: Individually Wrapped Coils: A layer of 6” tall individually wrapped coils responds to a sleeper’s body as they move and shift positions in bed. And while the Puffy Royal Hybrid is a less-responsive mattress because of its thick foam layers, the coils add a bit more responsiveness, support and breathability.

How Much Does the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Cost?

Check out our Puffy Mattress Coupons for the best price on a new mattress. For more budget-friendly options, see the best affordable mattresses.

How Do the Policies Measure Up? 

Shipping & Unboxing

Like many beds on the online mattress market today, the Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress ships vacuum-packed and compressed in a box. After a customer places an order for the mattress, it will ship within one to three business days. The company offers free shipping to the lower 48 states of the U.S., but shipments to Alaska and Hawaii will incur an extra charge. 

As for unboxing, our team found the process to be simple and easy. After releasing the mattress from its plastic wrapping, it expanded almost immediately with very little off-gassing odors. To speed up the unboxing process, we recommend placing the boxed-up mattress on its bed frame before unboxing it. 

Warranty

Great news for those planning to keep their mattress for the long haul: Puffy offers a Lifetime warranty for the Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress as long as it is owned by the original purchaser. Puffy will repair or replace the mattress for free if it is determined that the type of damage in the claim falls under the warranty policy. For example, the damage won’t be covered if it was caused by “improper use” or if the mattress was not placed on an appropriate foundation.

Trial Period & Returns

Puffy’s 101-night sleep trial means that customers can return the mattress for any reason during the first three months of ownership. If an individual requests a free return, the company will pick it up from their home and offer a full refund. Still, the customer will have to wait at least two weeks before deciding to return the mattress. The rationale? It can take up to 30 days for the body to get used to a new mattress.

For mattresses in the Puffy collection, see our Puffy Mattress Comparison.

Comparing the Puffy Mattresses

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Puffy Royal

Both the Puffy Royal and the Puffy Royal Hybrid are identical in construction except for one major difference: While the Puffy Royal uses a thick support foam section as the base layer of the mattress, the Puffy Royal Hybrid incorporates a 6” layer of individually wrapped coils for pressure-relieving support. 

Because the Puffy Royal Hybrid includes reinforced steel coils, it offers a bit more support for heavyweight sleepers. The steel coils allow for more breathability than memory foam, which means the Puffy Royal Hybrid is better at keeping sleepers cool than the Puffy Royal. Surprisingly, there is no difference in price between the Puffy Royal and the Puffy Royal Hybrid. Unless you’re set on an all-foam mattress, we’d recommend choosing the Puffy Royal Hybrid.

Puffy Royal Hybrid  vs. Puffy Mattress

The Puffy mattress, the brand’s flagship bed, is an all-foam mattress with a 6/10 firmness level, or medium firm. Compared to the Puffy Royal Hybrid, the Puffy mattress is 4” shorter, contains no coils and is a great deal less expensive. It’s also quite a bit firmer than the Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress (a 4 out of 10 on our firmness scale), which will make the original Puffy better for lightweight stomach sleepers. 

The Puffy mattress is made with three layers of foam, including Cooling Cloud foam and Climate-Adaptive foam. Like the Puffy Royal Hybrid, the Puffy mattress comes shipped as a bed-in-a-box mattress and includes a Lifetime warranty.

See our full Puffy Mattress Review to learn more. 

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress

The Puffy Lux Hybris mattress is the brand’s most popular mattress, and it ranks among our best online mattresses. Available in a hybrid version, the 12” Lux features three foam comfort layers and a support layer made of coils. Compared to the Puffy Royal Hybrid’s 4/10 firmness level, the Puffy Lux Hybrid is a bit firmer: a 5/10 firmness level or “medium plush.” 

Like the Royal Hybrid, the Lux Hybrid is cooling and breathable with targeted spinal alignment and a stain-resistant cover—all at a more moderate price point than the Royal Hybrid. For the extra money, you get cooling beads in the Puffy Royal Hybrid’s top layer, zoned full body support and five plush layers of construction at 14” thick.

Check out our full Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.

Puffy vs. Other Brands

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Purple Hybrid Premier

Like the Puffy Royal Hybrid, the Purple Hybrid Premier mattress uses a layer of individually wrapped coils to bolster the mattress and keep sleepers elevated on top of the bed. The layer of coils in the Purple Hybrid Premier is a bit taller than the coils used in the Puffy Royal Hybrid, and the top comfort layer of the Purple is quite different from foam: It’s the famed Purple Hyper-Elastic Polymer Grid, which offers pressure relief and cooling. 

The Purple Hybrid Premier features a higher firmness level than the Puffy Royal Hybrid, which means back sleepers and stomach sleepers should feel content atop the mattress. Compared to the Puffy Royal, the Purple Hybrid Premier doesn’t offer as much cushioning for side sleepers, who may be more comfy atop the plush Puffy Royal.

Read our full Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress Review to learn more.

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Casper Wave Hybrid

Though the Casper Wave Hybrid mattress is softer than some other models in the Casper line, it’s still a 5/10 firmness level. This means that both the Casper Wave and the Puffy Royal Hybrid will be good for side sleepers. However, the Casper Wave Hybrid will give sleepers better results in both edge support and cooling because it includes two layers of Casper’s AirScape perforated foam. 

Both the Casper Wave Hybrid and the Puffy Royal Hybrid are on the pricier side, but the Puffy Royal Hybrid is a bit pricier than the Casper in several size options. We think both beds will work well for those with hip pain or achiness in other joints.

Read our full Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Saatva Classic

Both the Puffy Royal Hybrid and the Saatva Classic mattress are hybrid mattresses made with individually wrapped coils and foam. The Puffy Royal Hybrid includes the brand’s Climate Comfort foam, and it’s a bit more expensive than the Saatva Classic, known as an affordable luxury mattress.

But the Saatva Classic mattress is available in three different firmness levels: plush soft, luxury firm and firm. While the Plush Soft version is a 3/10 on our firmness scale, the luxury firm model ranks as a 6/10, and the firm model is an 8/10 firmness level. This variation in firmness levels means the Saatva Classic can accommodate a greater variety of sleep positions and body types. Puffy’s Royal Hybrid, on the other hand, is a singular 4/10 firmness level. Perhaps the biggest seller for Saatva is its White Glove Delivery service, which installs your new bed and removes the old mattress—for free!

Read our full Saatva Classic Mattress Review to learn more.

Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these comparisons:

• Puffy vs. Nectar
• Puffy vs. Leesa
• Puffy vs. Casper
• Puffy vs. Purple

Puffy Mattress FAQs

What foundation works best with my Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress? 

The Puffy Royal Hybrid is compatible with most stable, secure foundations that keep the bed properly elevated. Slatted bed frames, platform bases, adjustable bases and box springs are all acceptable frames. You can even place your Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress right on the floor. 

How is Puffy’s customer service? 

Compared to other mattress companies, Puffy is a bit more difficult to reach. This may not be an issue for you, especially if you don’t anticipate needing to reach out to a representative. The Puffy website has a “chat” function for convenience. 

How much weight can be placed on my Puffy mattress? 

According to the company, the bed can support 350 lbs. of weight on each side.

What’s the Bottom Line?

The Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress is one of those beds that invites sleepers to sink deeply into its ultra-plush layers and read a good book. The mattress feels luxurious when you sink right into it, and its zoned support layer, or “sectional cloud technology,” offers added lift for the heavier parts of the body. While the Puffy Royal Hybrid won’t work well for stomach sleepers or many heavyweight sleepers, it will deliver a mixture of softness and pressure relief for side sleepers and back sleepers. The base layer of individually wrapped coils will add more breathability than a memory foam mattress. All these cloud-like qualities mean that you might just drift off to sleep before you get to the end of the next chapter.