Review: Thuma Hybrid Mattress

At first glance, you may have seen the word “Thuma” in the title and assumed this was about Thuma’s much-beloved bed frame. Several members of WIRED’s Reviews team have tried and are enamored with these Japanese joinery marvels, which not only look gorgeous but are a snap to set up thanks to the no-tool assembly design. Thuma launched its line of hybrid mattresses back in May as a companion to the frames. Both feature sleek designs, meticulous craftsmanship, and high-end materials, but can Thuma’s mattress live up to its frames’ vaunted reputation?

Layer Cake

Photograph: Julia Forbes

In my years as a professional mattress reviewer and certified sleep coach, I've found that hybrid mattresses typically feature two, maybe three, materials, to allow users to enjoy the benefit of each. In Thuma’s case, however, this hybrid comprises five. There's a eucalyptus-derived Tencel, spandex, and rayon cover, included for temperature control at the surface; organic wool; “biobased” memory foam; organic Dunlop latex for a firm feel; and pocketed coils in the middle.

Each layer brings a different element of support. Wool is a fascinating mattress material that has gained significant traction recently, as it serves as a natural fire barrier and doesn’t trap heat like traditional fire-retardant materials like fiberglass. Wool can also provide some additional cushioning, especially on the quilted surface. Memory foam comes next, adding more pressure relief and softness. Next is a layer of Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)-certified organic Dunlop latex. “Dunlop” refers to the Dunlop method, a latex manufacturing process that results in a firmer, yet bouncy feel. Lastly, the bed's core is made up of pocketed coils. They’re made of recycled steel, and each 6-inch coil has its own sleeve to promote more customized support, as well as reinforced edge support around the sides. Thuma refers to these as “pencil coils,” which are essentially two rows of very slim coils with a firmer feel. They're specifically placed to keep you secure while getting in and out, or sleeping at the edge of the mattress.

While the vast majority of the Thuma Hybrid consists of all-natural materials, it’s essential to note that it’s not a fully organic mattress. The “bio-based” memory foam indicates that some of the oil used to create the foam was derived from plant sources—the rest was not. I personally didn’t take issue with this, but for those who want a completely natural mattress, this may be a deal-breaker.

Two details stood out to me the most. First, Thuma notes that its latex mattress components come from the same rubberwood trees used to make the brand's other furniture offerings, such as solid-wood platform bed frames, headboards, and nightstands. This creates an eco-friendly, closed-loop system that not only makes the raw materials traceable (at least on Thuma’s end) but also facilitates source reduction. The mattress is also hand-tufted, which I didn’t realize until I saw its underside during setup. This means that someone sewed the layers together by hand, ensuring that nothing shifts internally over time, compromising support.

The Thuma Experience

I tested the Thuma Hybrid mattress with the Classic Bed frame. The minimalist design really did wonders to transform my testing studio. The mattress has a low profile that adds up to only 10 inches, so it wasn’t imposing, even as a king-size. The bed-in-a-box was no different to set up than the countless other mattresses I’ve tested in the past. It was quick and easy, and while Thuma offers white-glove delivery, I don’t think it’s a necessary expense for your new mattress. I noticed more off-gassing from the frame than from the mattress itself, but it dissipated within the first 24 hours after everything was unboxed.

Photograph: Julia Forbes

The Thuma Hybrid offers three firmness options: Plush, Medium, and Firm. I chose Medium because my partner and I (mainly me) fluctuate between different sleeping positions. We both are side sleepers for the most part, but often, I revert to being a stomach sleeper sometime in the night. Both of these sleeping positions require more lumbar support to prevent back pain. But from the first night of testing, it was undeniable that this mattress had a firmer feel. In my experience, beds with medium firmness typically range between a 5 and 6.5 on a scale of 10, with 10 being the firmest setting available on a bed. With Thuma Hybrid’s innerspring pocketed coils and firmer Dunlop latex, I would rank it as a 7 out of 10. In fact, I would guess that the “Firm” Thuma Hybrid may be comparable to the Plank Firm, one of the firmest mattresses our team has ever tested.

As time went on and my body adjusted to the mattress's feel, I could sense a slight increase in softness and sink around my body. But in terms of pressure relief, I did notice slight tension around my hips and shoulders. It was nothing that disrupted my sleep, but I could easily see it doing so for those with joint pain in these areas.

But that doesn’t take away who I really think this bed is a star for: couples, stomach sleepers, and heavy-bodied sleepers. Couples, especially ones who are interested in the best mattress for sex, may find a firm mattress to help not only with differing sleep positions, but also support for other positions. Stomach sleepers (and back sleepers who prefer a firmer bed) require a bed that provides adequate lumbar support. Lastly, heavy-bodied sleepers, or those with larger frames who weigh over 250 pounds, may be happy with this mattress's level of firmness. This is because with more body mass, the bed has more give. A too-soft bed can also contribute to the development of back pain over time, as the spine sinks out of alignment. The high-end materials that compose the Thuma Hybrid should enhance overall support and durability and help prevent back pain.

Touchdown, Thuma

Photograph: Julia Forbes

In the end, the Thuma Hybrid will likely be a classic case of "give your body time to get used to it"—particularly if you’re someone with a smaller- to average-weight frame. Heavier-bodied sleepers may be good to go from the jump. Would I personally classify the Thuma Hybrid as more of a medium-firm, rather than a medium? No, especially since mattresses typically soften up over time. However, the reality is that people generally aren't in the mood to wait that long—there's a reason most brands, Thuma included, require all 30 nights in the sleep trial to elapse before a return is allowed.

However, for stomach sleeping, couples, and sex, this mattress is a star—especially when paired with a Thuma bed frame. My next project will be getting my dogs on board with their own Thuma setup, as the brand has recently launched its own dog bed. But it's safe to say that I’ve joined my teammates as the new member of the (unofficial, but we can make T-shirts) Thuma fan club.