What Is A Plush Mattress? Everything You Need To Know Update 12/2024

Often referred to as “cloud-like,” plush mattresses have an ultra-soft feel and offer plenty of comforting cushioning. They are a good sleeping option for side sleepers, little people, people with pain, and many more. Even while everyone might find the thought of sleeping on a cloud enticing, plush mattresses aren’t comfy for everyone and might even make some people feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable. Ouch!

Determining whether or not a soft mattress can meet your sleeping demands requires an understanding of how a plush mattress supports you and how it feels. But we recognize that it’s not always simple or easy to evaluate a mattress’s feel without actually lying down on it. What’s the distinction between firmness and support, anyway?

Be at ease; we’re here to guide you through the maze of mattress firmness so you can learn more about plush mattresses and the kind of people they’re most comfortable for. Finally, to assist you in selecting the ideal mattress, we even examine some of our favorite plush mattresses.

Why Do Firmness Levels Matter?

The initial feel of a mattress when you lie on it depends on how firm it is. Knowing the ranges of mattress firmness enables you to distinguish between mattresses and determines what to anticipate from various firmnesses.

The approximate mattress firmness scale is from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest; plush mattresses are often a 3 out of 10. There is no industry standard for firmness levels, however this ranges from 1 to 10.

Firmness vs. Support

Despite the fact that they sound similar, support and firmness are distinct concepts. If we want to get technical, ILD and how much a mattress compresses under different weights really define firmness; soft beds compress more readily and have a lower ILD. Contrarily, support is determined by layering and mattress components such as pocketed coils and zonal support technologies.
What is a plush mattress? | Tom's Guide

Yes, plush mattresses are comfortable, but premium plush mattresses always have adequate support. The most plush mattresses on the market often have extra support layers to encourage proper spinal alignment and increase the comfort of the sleeper as a whole.

You shouldn’t have much trouble getting into a comfortable sleeping position, drifting off to sleep, or waking up in the mornings feeling pain-free and rejuvenated if your mattress is comfortable and supports you properly.

Who Should Use a Plush Mattress?

Because plush mattresses conform well with little weight, they are ideal for tiny sleepers. A plush mattress has additional cushioning that helps side sleepers avoid pressure points developing in their hips and shoulders.

Petite sleepers, who weigh under 130 pounds, don’t exert a lot of weight on their mattress, therefore they don’t experience much contouring on firmer mattresses. Mattresses for small people should feel medium to soft so that they can contour to their bodies and relieve pressure.

Many side sleepers who use too-firm mattresses may awaken with hip and shoulder pain. The finest mattresses for side sleepers are plush because they give the hips and shoulders, the two body areas that carry the most weight, enough cushioning to prevent pressure and pain points that can occur on firm or non-conforming beds.

Most stomach sleepers find plush mattresses to be too soft because if their mattress is too soft, their hips can sag, thereby misaligning their spine and possibly causing pain.

Similarly, if plush mattresses lack additional supports, such as zoned or transition layers, to keep sleepers raised, plus-sized sleepers may sink and feel “trapped” in them. To feel adequately supported and avoid sleeping in rather than on their mattress, plus-sized sleepers often want a firmer mattress.

Choose an Amerisleep Plush Mattress

If you’ve read this far and decide that plush mattresses are the best option for you, you must examine our two softest mattress models, the AS5 and AS5 Hybrid.

All of our goods are CertiPUR-US® certified, created in the USA, and ship for free inside the 48 contiguous states. Every mattress also includes a risk-free 100-night sleep trial and a comprehensive 20-year warranty to guard against manufacturing flaws and sags of more than an inch.

Amerisleep AS5 is the best plush memory foam mattress.

  • Price Range: $1649 to $3398
  • Mattress Type: Memory Foam
  • Firmness: 3 out of 10 (Soft)
  • Availability: All sizes
  • Warranty: 20 Years
  • Thickness: 14 Inches

Our softest model is the AS5, which is also the name of our first memory foam mattress. A pleasant and cloud-like sleeping experience is offered by this mattress.

Mattress Features

  • Plant-based foam that conforms for a soft cushion.
    Surface that responds, supported by Active Flex foam.
    For support, use Bio-Core® foam and Affinity foam.

Recommended For

  • Side sleepers
  • Various body types
  • Hot sleepers

The AS5 mattress is our softest memory foam offering. The plush, breathable cover on the 14-inch AS5 keeps you cozy, dry, and cool. There are four separate foam layers under the casing.

The comfort layer of the mattress is made up of 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, a memory foam made from plants that is used in the comfort layer of all of our mattresses. Bio-Pur® relieves pressure and conforms to your body’s curves similarly to conventional memory foam. The foam is porous and temperature neutral, so it won’t soften or heat up in response to body heat, making it more breathable than conventional memory foam.

Because of the Active Flex layer, the AS5 is soft but nevertheless responsive and supportive. The 2 inches of transition foam that resembles latex add bounce and keep you from feeling like you’re stuck on the bed. Only the AS5 and AS5 Hybrid have the Active Flex layer, which makes even the softest beds rise and respond to movement.
What Is A Plush Mattress? - Everything You Need To Know

The 2-inch Affinity layer with HIVE® technology sits below the Active Flex. Five zones around the head, shoulders, back, hips, and feet are cut out in the foam using hexagonal shapes as part of the HIVE® technology.

The hexagonal cuts are closely spaced for stiffness around the back and hips, but are more widely spaced for softness around the head, shoulders, and feet. This zonal support technology encourages a neutral spine and balanced weight distribution.

The Bio-Core® base, a 7-inch-thick foundation intended to support the top layers, is located at the bottom of the mattress.

Mattress Best Plush Hybrid

AS5 Hybrid by Amerisleep

  • Price Range: $2049 to $4198
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: 3 out of 10 (Soft)
  • Availability: All sizes
  • Warranty: 20 Years
  • Thickness: 14 Inches

Some people prefer their plush mattress to have a little bounce to it, making the surface slightly more responsive. We recommend the AS5 Hybrid for those who like soft hybrid mattresses to sleep on.

Mattress Features

  • Pressure points are reduced with plant-based memory foam.
  • responsive main layer of Active Flex that is buoyant.
  • For edge and spinal support, use pocketed coils.

Recommended For

  • Side sleepers
  • All body types, from petite to plus-size
  • Hot sleepers

The AS5 Hybrid is a good option if you want your soft mattress to have a little more bounce. The AS5 combines the responsiveness and support of an innerspring mattress with the opulent comfort of a memory foam mattress.

The AS5 Hybrid stands 14 inches tall and has the same thin cover, 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, and 2 inches of Active Flex as the AS5.

As opposed to the AS5, which has the Affinity layer with an HIVE® and Bio-Core® base, the AS5 Hybrid includes a support system made up of 8 inches of pocketed coils. Hundreds of coils are individually wrapped in fabric on each AS5 Hybrid to reduce motion transfer while maintaining responsiveness.

For an eco-friendly mattress, the AS5 Hybrid’s coils are constructed from recycled steel. Additionally, the pocketed coils on the sides provide improved edge support for simpler mobility.

All of our mattresses are made to keep you from becoming too hot while you sleep, but the hybrid mattress contains extra air channels to keep you cool.

One inch of base foam sits beneath the pocketed coils, allowing the coils to bounce off of it and increase the mattress’ overall longevity.

Seven various sizes of the beds are offered, including a split king for couples who like varying levels of firmness. Additionally, the CertiPUR-US® certification of the AS5 and AS5 Hybrid reduces the unpleasant off-gassing odour associated with new mattresses.

Plush Mattresses vs. Other Soft Mattress Types

Let’s examine two other soft mattress kinds you can see when shopping now that we’ve established plush mattresses as one of the softer options: pillow top and Euro-top mattresses.

Plush vs. Pillow Top

An innerspring or hybrid mattress with a soft comfort layer sewed on top, normally an inch or so thick, is referred to as a pillow top. In order to enhance softness, pillow top layers are typically made of fabrics like cotton, wool, or down; nevertheless, they offer little support.

While a pillow top mattress just refers to the top layer of a mattress, plush mattresses indicate the firmness of a mattress as a whole. Nevertheless, a lot of manufacturers characterize their pillow top or Euro top mattresses as plush because they make coil beds, which can be stiff on its own, softer.

Plush vs. Euro top

Although the terms “pillow top” and “Euro top” are frequently used interchangeably, the former is another kind of mattress. The supple top layers of coil mattresses are called pillow tops or euro tops; however, unlike pillow tops, which are clearly stitched over mattresses, euro tops are located beneath the cover of the mattress. The wonderful plushness of a Eurotop mattress can reduce pressure points for side sleepers and those who are small-framed.

Ultra-soft and conforming mattresses come on both plush and Euro top varieties. Additionally, Euro top mattresses are virtually indistinguishable from plush mattresses since their tops are tucked within rather than sewed on top of the cover.

Plush Mattresses vs. Other Mattress Firmnesses

Consider looking into different mattress firmnesses, such firm and medium, to better suit your sleeping position and size if you prefer to sleep on your back, stomach, or on your side and plus-sized or back mattresses don’t appear to be meeting your demands.

Plush vs. Firm

Mattresses that are firm, or 7 out of 10, are the antithesis of cushy mattresses. For stomach, back, and plus-sized sleepers who want extra resistance to keep them from sinking in the bed, firm mattresses offer an even, pleasant sleeping surface. While plush mattresses have a large comfort layer, firm mattresses have a relatively thin one.

The term “plush firm” is used by several companies to describe their mattresses, however it can be very confusing. The phrase “plush firm” refers to a firm mattress with extra padding, much like a pillow top mattress. Mattresses of this sort may alternatively be referred to as “luxury firm” or “cushion firm.”

Plush vs. Medium

One of the most common firmness options are medium mattresses, which rate a 5 on the firmness scale. In order to prevent pressure points from forming, a medium mattress is firmer than a plush mattress but still has some give.

For side sleepers, medium mattresses are a wonderful choice because they encourage neutral alignment while still providing the required cradling. Couples benefit from medium mattresses as well because they typically have little motion transmission and provide a flexible surface for various sleeping positions.

FAQs

Is a plush mattress good for your back?

The ideal sleeping positions for the back are on the side or on the back since they both support the spine’s natural curve without putting strain on the back.

Since their broadest body regions, the hips and shoulders, require additional cushioning, side sleepers do best on plush mattresses. Soft mattresses support a neutral spine while also holding side sleepers’ waists in place, keeping them in line with their hips and shoulders.
Everything You Need to Know About a Plush Mattress

On a luxurious mattress, back sleeping is not advised unless you are very small. Without additional support layers, back sleepers may have a sinking sensation in their lower back.

For back sleepers who prioritize their back health, a medium to medium-firm mattress is typically the ideal option because it is firm enough to prevent sinking while being soft enough to reduce pressure buildup.

How long do plush mattresses last?

Although the longevity of a mattress is more affected by the type of mattress than the firmness, most plush mattresses endure between 7 and 10 years. Different mattress kinds will wear out more quickly (or slowly) than others:

  • Memory foam: 7 to 10 years
  • Latex: 8 to 15 years
  • Hybrid: 5 to 7 years
  • Innerspring: 5 to 6 years

How can I make my plush mattress firmer?

Adding a firm mattress topper is a simple way to give your soft mattress more support. They are frequently constructed from latex, memory foam, or polyfoam, all of which can offer good support and bounce.

It is recommended to use a mattress topper that is at least 3 inches thick because thicker toppers have a greater effect on how your mattress feels overall. Thinner mattress toppers are frequently used to give beds a little more padding but have a less dramatic effect on how your mattress feels.

Placing a bunkie board underneath your mattress is another easy way to firm it up. Bunkie boards are 1 to 3-inch plywood slabs designed to increase the hardness and support of your mattress. You can place them on the floor or in the gaps between your mattress’s current base to increase both support and firmness.

Can you flip a plush mattress?

The majority of contemporary plush mattresses, such as memory foam, latex, and hybrids, are not flippable due to their unique upright structure, unlike the time when innerspring mattresses were widely used. Some mattress makers do produce dual-sided mattresses that can be turned over, but you should always check your mattress’ warranty before doing so.

If you can’t flip your plush mattress, you can still avoid sagging and level out wear and tear by rotating your mattress every three to six months.

Are plush or ultra-plush mattresses better?

With a firmness rating of just 1, ultra-plush mattresses are the softest mattresses now available. Ultra-plush mattresses are hard to come by since they are excessively cushiony for the majority of sleepers and make them feel confined to their beds. Because they are more widely available and sufficiently conform without being confining, plush mattresses are what we advise.

Are Plush Mattresses Right For You?

We believe that by defining plush mattresses, we can better assist you in your search for a mattress. For side and smaller sleepers who want additional cradling at night, plush mattresses provide a soft, hug-like sleeping surface. The good news is that medium and firm mattresses can still be just as comfortable without making you sink into your bed if you don’t fit their criteria.

How do Euro top and plush mattresses differ?

A substantial comfort layer is sewn beneath the surface of euro top mattresses. The comfort layer is the same for pillow top mattresses, except it is stitched into the top or surface level of the mattress instead. Read our comparison of mattresses with a pillow top and a euro top for more details.

A plush mattress is most likely a mattress with a Euro top. However, not every plush mattress has a Euro top. Both mattresses include additional cushioning that gives users a pleasant sleeping surface.

What is the difference between plush and an ultra-plush mattress?

On the mattress firmness scale, an ultra-plush mattress would be a 1, while a plush mattress would be a 3. The softest mattresses on the market are ultra-plush ones. An ultra-plush mattress is overly soft and lacks joint support for the majority of sleepers.

Ultra-plush mattresses might be extremely confining, giving the sleeper the sensation of being “trapped.” Furthermore, a bed this soft is uncommon. The typical corporation doesn’t sell beds with ultra-plush feelings because they aren’t appropriate for the majority of sleepers.

Conclusion

A thicker comfort layer and a softer sleep surface are characteristics of plush mattresses. How firm of a bed you require depends on your body size, sleeping posture, and joint health. A plusher mattress provides the most support and comfort for side sleepers who are smaller. A softer bed might also be advantageous for people who suffer from arthritis or other joint ailments.

A firmer mattress is necessary for a heavier individual who sleeps on their back or stomach. These people and those with mobility challenges can’t sink into their beds because of a firmer mattress. Couples might consider medium mattresses because they sit in the center of the mattress firmness spectrum.

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