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.

Who’s Going to the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress

• Couples
• Plush mattress lovers
• Side sleepers
• Back sleepers
• Those with lightweight (< 130 lbs) and average-weight (130–230 lbs) body types

Who Should Steer Clear of the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress

• Stomach sleepers—instead, the firmer version of the Saatva Classic mattress is a better option.
• Those with a heavyweight (> 230 lbs) body type—instead, the Brooklyn Bedding Titan mattress is designed especially to support bigger bodies.
• Shoppers on a tight budget—instead, the Tuft & Needle mattress is lower cost. 

Check out our video review to see how the Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress performed in all of our performance tests!

Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Firmness and Feel

Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Firmness

On our firmness scale of 1–10, with 10 being the most firm mattress you can imagine, the Puffy ranks only 4/10. 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.

What Does the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Feel Like?

The Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress has a feel that matches its name: It’s just that, Puffy, landing it on the softer side. You’ll feel hugged by the soft, doughy foam layers. 

What Sleeping Position Is the Puffy Royal Hybrid Best For?

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	3	5
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	4	2	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	2	4

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 sleeping 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

Of all the sleeping positions, stomach sleepers are especially at risk of spinal misalignment if their mattress is too soft. That’s 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 their hips and lower back properly elevated atop the bed. For recommendations, check out our best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Side Sleepers

Many side sleepers will love the Puffy Royal Hybrid because of its soft, cradling comfort layers. Since side sleepers’ hips and shoulders point 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 on our list of best mattresses for side sleepers.

Combination Sleepers

If you tend to move around a lot at night and change sleep positions on a whim, you are what we 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 an adaptive 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 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 below. 

Toss and turn at night? Then peruse our best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Is the Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Cooling?

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.

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.

Responsiveness

With such plush foams on top of the Puffy Royal Hybrid, we didn’t expect a lot of responsiveness, but we were pleasantly surprised. While it’s still not the best fit for combination sleepers, the coils at the base of the bed give it a little bounce that kept us from feeling stuck in one place.

Motion Isolation: Is it good for those who share a bed?

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 improve motion isolation. 

During our mattress 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 for a bathroom break or water.

Noise

These days, it’s rare that we encounter a mattress that makes a lot of noise. Consistent with that trend, the Puffy Royal Hybrid is very quiet.

Pain Relief

If you’re prone to back pain, the last thing you want from your mattress is more aches and pains. Choosing the right mattress for your specific needs depends a lot on your sleeping position. To prevent new back pain from emerging, or to alleviate existing back pain, here’s what you should consider:

• Back sleepers: This is arguably the best sleeping position for those with back pain since it doesn’t put any extra pressure on your joints or spine. Back sleepers need a mattress that’s firm enough to keep their spine aligned and soft enough to cushion their bumpier bits. A medium to firm mattress fits this bill.
• Side sleepers: Those who rest a lot of weight on their shoulders and hips need a mattress that’s soft enough to allow these pressure points to sink into the mattress. At the same time, the mattress should keep any inverted curves supported and lifted. With those specifications in mind, side sleepers need a soft to medium-firm mattress with cushioning, conforming materials.
• Stomach sleepers: If you suffer from back pain and prefer stomach sleeping, it’s worthwhile to try to train yourself out of this sleeping position. It puts extra strain on your neck, since your head is contorted to the side. However, if you’re stuck on your stomach (we get how cozy this sleeping position can be), then look for a firm mattress that keeps your hips lifted in line with your shoulders. That will ensure that your lower back gets enough support.

So how does the Puffy Royal Hybrid work for each sleeping position? It’s far too soft for stomach sleepers, so we advise those who favor that sleeping position to instead check out the best mattresses for back pain. Lightweight back sleepers with back pain should get enough support, but average-weight and heavyweight back sleepers should look for a firmer mattress. Most side sleepers with back pain should sleep comfortably on the Puffy Royal Hybrid.

Sex

The best mattresses for sex are responsive and cooling. The Puffy Royal Hybrid doesn’t excel in these areas, but it does have the bounce and breathability of coils.

Off-Gassing

We noticed very little off-gassing (aka, that new mattress smell) when we unboxed our Puffy Royal mattress. The odor is non-toxic, and it usually fades after 24 hours. To speed up the process, keep your bedroom well-ventilated and don’t add bed sheets for the first 24 hours after unboxing the mattress.

Durability

We gave the Puffy Royal Hybrid a slightly above-average score for durability. The coils should improve the lifespan of the mattress, but the soft foams are prone to forming body impressions. Overall, we guess it will last you around seven years before showing signs of wear.

The Puffy Royal Hybrid includes a mixture of breathable coils and CertiPUR-US certified foam that delivers support while creating a deluxe, soft feeling. The polyester cover and premium foam in the Puffy Royal Hybrid certainly don’t offer a lot of relief for hot sleepers, but the 7” tall coils provide breathability and react to the body’s movements as sleepers shift positions in bed.

Layer #1—Polyester Mattress 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. The cover is not washable, but it is stain-resistant.  

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. The 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 polyfoam 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 7” tall individually wrapped coils responds quickly as sleepers 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.

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Twin	$1,649	39″ x 75″	14”	58 lbs
Twin XL	$1,749	39″ x 80″	14”	61 lbs
Full	$2,449	54″ x 75″	14”	84 lbs
Queen	$2,699	60″ x 80″	14”	94 lbs
King	$2,999	76″ x 80″	14”	120 lbs
California King	$2,999	72″ x 84″	14”	118 lbs

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

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 seven to 10 business days. The company offers free shipping to the lower 48 states of the USA, 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. It’s on the heavier side, so you may want to enlist some friends to help you with this process.

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’s owned by the original purchaser. Puffy will repair or replace the mattress for free if it’s 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 during the trial period, 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.

Addressing Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Complaints

• Not Supportive: Some stomach sleepers complained that the Puffy Royal doesn’t provide enough support for this sleeping position. It’s true that stomach sleepers should look for a mattress that’s firm enough to keep their hips lifted, or they could develop lower back pain. If you’re a stomach sleeper, you’ll get the best support on a mattress with a firmness level of 7/10 or higher. 
• Expensive: A few customers commented on the price of the Puffy, questioning the value of the bed for the high price tag. We agree that there are more durable mattresses for the money, but you’ll need to decide whether or not the Puffy Royal meets your needs well enough to justify the cost.
• Retains Heat: The Puffy Royal Hybrid can retain quite a bit of body heat, so if you’re prone to night sweats or live in a warmer climate, we suggest shopping around for a more cooling mattress.

Puffy Royal Hybrid  vs. Original Puffy

Puffy Royal Hybrid is Best For:	Original Puffy is Best For:
Couples, or those who share a bed	Those looking for a more affordable puffy mattress
Plush mattress lovers	Sleepers looking for a more firm feeling mattress
Side sleepers	Lightweight Stomach Sleepers

The Puffy mattress—the brand’s flagship bed—is an all-foam mattress with a 6/10 (medium-firm) firmness level. 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 (which a 4/10 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

Puffy Royal Hybrid is Best For:	Puffy Lux Hybrid is Best For:
Sleepers who share a bed	Those looking for a medium-soft mattress
Those with lightweight (< 130 lbs) and average-weight (130–230 lbs) body types	Shoppers looking for a more moderately priced mattress
Back Sleepers	Combination Sleepers who favor their back or side

The Puffy Lux Hybrid is the brand’s most popular mattress. The 12” Lux Hybrid 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 is a bit firmer: a 5/10 firmness level, or medium-soft.

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’ll pay for the Royal Hybrid, you get cooling beads in the top layer, full body zoned support, and five plush layers measuring 14” thick.

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

Comparing Puffy to the Competition

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Purple Hybrid Premier

Puffy Royal Hybrid is Best For:	Purple Hybrid Premier is Best For:
Side sleepers	Those who sleep hot
Lightweight & average-weight body types	Shoppers looking for extra pressure relief
People looking for a more cushion feeling mattress	People looking for a firmer mattress

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. The Purple Hybrid Premier doesn’t offer as much cushioning for side sleepers, who may get a better night’s sleep atop the plush Puffy Royal Hybrid.

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

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Casper Wave Hybrid

Puffy Royal Hybrid is Best For:	Casper Wave Hybrid is Best For:
Those who co-sleep or share a bed	People looking for more edge support
People who tend to be Back or Side Sleepers	Shoppers who tend to sleep hot
Shoppers who experience arthritis	People who like to feel hugged by their mattress

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 Hybrid 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 joint and hip pain.

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

Puffy Royal Hybrid vs. Saatva Classic

Puffy Royal Hybrid is Best For:	Saatva Classic is Best For:
Couples	People looking for an affordable luxury mattress
Lightweight & Average-weight body types	Those searching for a variety of firmness options to choose from
Shoppers looking for a softer mattress	Shoppers looking for an extended trial period

Both the Puffy Royal Hybrid and the Saatva Classic mattress are 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, which is known as an affordable luxury mattress. 

Unlike the Puffy Royal Hybrid, the Saatva Classic 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. This variation in firmness levels means the Saatva Classic can accommodate a greater variety of sleep positions and body types. On the other hand, the Puffy Royal Hybrid 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! They also offer a 180-night trial period, compared with the 101-night sleep trial offered by Puffy.

Read our full Saatva Classic Mattress Review to learn more.

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

• Puffy vs. Casper
• Puffy vs. Leesa
• Puffy vs. Lull
• Puffy vs. Nectar
• Puffy vs. Nolah
• Puffy vs. Purple
• Puffy vs. Saatva
• Puffy vs. WinkBed

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 some 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.

The Nerd’s Score for the Puffy Royal Hybrid

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	4.5
Pressure Relief	5
Ease of Movement	4
Edge Support	3.75
Temperature Control	3.5
Durability	3.5

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