Updated at: 11-10-2022 - By: Jane

A plush mattress has a “cloud-like” softness and provides a lot of cushioning comfort for the sleeper. They’re a high-end option for people who have trouble sleeping on their sides, are short, or have chronic pain. However, while the thought of resting on a cloud may appeal to all, the reality is that some people actually experience increased discomfort while sleeping on particularly plush beds. Ouch!

If you’re considering a plush mattress but aren’t sure if it will meet your needs, it’s important to have a feel for how it feels and how well it supports you. We acknowledge, however, that it is not always simple or direct to judge the comfort of a mattress without actually lying down on it. What exactly is the distinction between firmness and support?

Don’t worry; we’ll help you learn more about plush mattresses and the types of sleepers that prefer them. Furthermore, to assist you in your search for the greatest bed, we have included reviews of some of our favorite luxurious mattresses.

Why Do Firmness Levels Matter?

You’ll notice the level of firmness in the mattress right away. Learning about the different levels of firmness in mattresses will help you get the right one for your needs and expectations.

Although there is no universally accepted definition of “firmness,” most people rate mattresses between 3 and 7 on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest.

Firmness vs. Support

However, firmness and support are not the same thing, despite their similarities in sound. When we come down to brass tacks, we can say that a mattress’s firmness is determined by its ILD and the degree to which it contracts when subjected to different loads (softer mattresses compress more easily, and their ILD is lower). However, a mattress’s support is established by its layer construction and materials, such as pocketed coils and zonal support technologies.

What is a Plush Mattress? - The Sleep Judge

True, plush mattresses are softer than traditional mattresses, but that doesn’t mean they don’t provide adequate support. To aid in proper spinal alignment and increase sleepers’ general comfort, several of the best plush mattresses on the market today include additional support layers.

Once you find a sleeping position and mattress that works for you, you shouldn’t have any trouble nodding off or waking up feeling refreshed and pain-free.

Who Should Use a Plush Mattress?

Soft beds are ideal for people with a smaller frame because of the way they mold to the shape of the body. A plush mattress is ideal for side sleepers because it distributes weight evenly over the surface, relieving pressure on the hips and shoulders.

Because they weigh less than 130 pounds, petite sleepers don’t exert a great deal of pressure on their mattress and won’t experience much contouring from a firmer mattress. Instead, small people require medium to soft mattresses so they may sink into the surface and get comfortable.

In the morning, many side sleepers experience hip and shoulder pain due to their mattress being excessively hard. Plush mattresses are ideal for side sleepers because they alleviate pressure and pain points in the hips and shoulders, the body’s two heaviest areas, which can occur on firm or non-conforming mattresses.

Most stomach sleepers don’t do well on plush mattresses because the extra softness allows their hips to sink, which can misalign their spine and lead to pain.

In a similar vein, sleepers who are heavier than average may experience a “sinking” or “stuck” sensation on overly soft mattresses that lack zoned or transition layers. Heavy people like a firmer bed because it helps them sleep more “on” the bed rather than “in” it.

Choose an Amerisleep Plush Mattress

If you’ve come this far and think plush mattresses are right for your needs, then you have to check out our softest mattress models: AS5 and AS5 Hybrid.

  • Range of Prices: $1649 – $3398
  • Memory Foam is a type of mattress.
  • Consistency: 3 out of 10 (Soft)
  • Sizes Available: Every Variation
  • Twenty Year Guarantee.
  • Measurements: 14 Inches in Depth

The AS5 is our original and softest model, made from memory foam. To sleep on this mattress is to sleep on a cloud.

Specifics of a Mattress

  • Eco-friendly, conforming plant-based foam for a cushy seat cushion
  • Surface that responds well and is backed up by Active Flex foam.
  • Supportive Affinity Foam with Bio-Core® Foam

This is the recommended for

  • Sleepers who lie on their sides
  • Forms of Physiological Diversity
  • Smokers in bed

When it comes to our memory foam mattresses, the AS5 is the most plush option. The AS5’s cover is made of breathable and soft material, so you won’t overheat when using it. There are four distinct foam layers beneath the outside shell.

Plush Mattress Reviews: Best 2022 Brands Ranked (Top 9)

All of our mattresses feature a three-inch comfort layer of Bio-Pur®, a plant-based memory foam. Bio-Pur®, like conventional memory foam, adapts to the shape of the user’s body to provide comfort. The foam is temperature neutral, so it won’t soften or get heated in response to body heat, making it more breathable than standard memory foam.

The Active Flex layer makes the AS5, despite its plush feel, responsive and supportive. There is a transition layer of latex-like foam, 2 inches thick, that provides bounce and keeps you from feeling stuck in the bed. The Active Flex layer, exclusive to the AS5 and AS5 Hybrid, makes even the plushest of mattresses sensitive to your every toss and turn.

The two-inch HIVE®-equipped Affinity layer lies beneath the Active Flex. With HIVE® technology, the foam is divided into five distinct zones—one each for the head, shoulders, hips, and feet.

The hexagonal cutouts are densely packed in the middle to provide hard support for the spine and hips, but are more widely spaced to provide gentler support for the head, shoulders, and feet. This zonal support system is ideal for encouraging proper posture and weight distribution.

The Bio-Core® base, measuring in at a hefty 7 inches, serves as the foundation of the mattress.

Hybrid Mattress Top Pick for Ultimate Comfort Hybrid Mattress by Amerisleep, the AS5

  • From $2,049 up to $4,198
  • Bed Arrangement: Hybrid Mattress
  • Consistency: 3 out of 10 (Soft)
  • Sizes Available: Every Variation
  • Sizes Available: Every Variation
  • Coverage for Twenty Years

Some people like a plush mattress with a little amount of bounce, which makes the surface a little more responsive. The AS5 Hybrid is our top pick for those who prefer softer hybrid mattresses.

Specifics of a Mattress

  • Pressure points are relieved by the plant-based memory foam.
  • Active Flex core for buoyancy and response
  • Edge support and back support from pocketed coils

This is the recommended for

  • Sleepers who lie on their sides
  • All sizes, from extra-tiny to extra-large
  • Smokers in bed

Think about the AS5 Hybrid Mattress if you want a soft bed with a bit more springiness. The AS5 combines the responsiveness and support of an innerspring mattress with the plush softness of memory foam.

The AS5 Hybrid has the same 14″ height, lightweight cover, 3″ Bio-Pur®, and 2″ Active Flex as the standard AS5.

The AS5 Hybrid includes 8 inches of pocketed coils as its support system, in contrast to the AS5’s 5 inches of the Affinity layer with HIVE® and Bio-Core® base. Hundreds of coils, individually wrapped in fabric, are used in each AS5 Hybrid to reduce motion transfer without compromising responsiveness.

The AS5 Hybrid is an eco-friendly option because it uses coils manufactured from recycled steel. The pocketed coils along the side provide additional edge support, making it simpler to get in and out of bed.

While we make sure none of our beds get too warm, the hybrid model has some extra air vents built in.

Each pocketed coil is supported by 1 inch of base foam, which acts as a spring and increases the mattress’s longevity.

The seven distinct bed sizes include a split king that accommodates partners who have varying preferences in mattress firmness. The new mattress off-gassing is much reduced in the AS5 and AS5 Hybrid because both are CertiPUR-US® certified.

Plush Mattresses vs. Other Soft Mattress Types

Plush mattresses have been established as one of the softest options, so now we’ll examine two other soft mattress varieties you could encounter when shopping: pillow top and Euro-top mattresses.

Plush vs. Pillow Top

A bed with a pillow top has a thick comfort layer—at least an inch—sewn on top of an innerspring or hybrid coil mattress. The top layer of a pillow is designed to be comfortable, thus it’s typically comprised of a softer material like cotton, wool, or down.

A mattress with a plush feel is said to have a plush firmness, whereas a mattress with a pillow top has a soft surface layer. Even while coil beds can be stiff on their own, several manufacturers market their pillow top or Euro top mattresses as plush because of the added softness.

Plush vs. Euro top

While the terms are commonly interchanged, a Euro top mattress is another style of pillow top. Both pillow tops and Euro tops are padded covers for coil mattresses, however a pillow top is sewn on top of a mattress while a Euro top is sewn into the mattress itself. The soft, sensuous feel of a Eurotop mattress is ideal for those with smaller frames or who prefer to sleep on their sides.

Ultra-soft and pliable, both plush and Euro top mattresses adjust to the shape of the sleeper. Since Euro toppers are tucked into a mattress rather than sewn on top of the cover, they are difficult to tell apart from plush mattresses.

Plush Mattresses vs. Other Mattress Firmnesses

If you find that plush mattresses don’t work for you because of your sleeping position or size, you may want to investigate other mattress firmness options, such as firm and medium.

Plush vs. Firm

The antithesis of a plush mattress, a hard one is a 7 out of 10. Sleepers who prefer to lie on their stomachs, backs, or who are larger in stature will find a firm mattress to be the most comfortable option. The comfort layer in a firm mattress is rather thin, whereas that in a plush mattress is quite substantial.

The term “plush firm” is used by several manufacturers to describe their mattresses, however it often leads to confusion. Plush firm refers to a mattress that is firm but has additional padding for comfort, much like a pillow top mattress. The terms “luxury firm” and “cushion firm” are also used to describe this category of bed.

Plush vs. Medium

A medium mattress, or a 5 on the firmness scale, is a popular option. A medium mattress is a compromise between a very soft one and a very firm one, providing support without excessive sinkage.

Side sleepers can benefit from medium mattresses since they encourage neutral alignment while still providing the essential cradling. Medium mattresses are great for couples since they accommodate a variety of sleeping positions and produce minimal motion transmission.

FAQs

Is a plush mattress good for your back?

Sleeping on one’s side or back is preferable to sleeping on one’s stomach or back because it allows the spine to keep its natural curve and relieves pressure on the spine.

Those who prefer to sleep on their sides benefit from mattresses that are exceptionally soft, as their hips and shoulders require more support. In addition, soft mattresses keep side sleepers’ waists in alignment with their hips and shoulders, which is good for the spine.

If you aren’t particularly small, a plush mattress isn’t ideal for sleeping on your back. Sleeping on one’s back can cause the lower back to sink without proper support.

If you sleep on your back and want to give your spine the best chance at health, you should look for a mattress that falls somewhere in the medium to medium-firm range.

Euro Plush Mattress - Perfecta Mattress

How long do plush mattresses last?

Although the type of mattress matters more than the level of firmness when determining how long a mattress will last, most plush mattresses have a lifespan of between 7 to 10 years. Mattresses can be categorized by the rate at which they degrade:

  • Seven to ten years for memory foam
  • A latex shoe lasts between 8 and 15 years.
  • Age of a Hybrid Vehicle: 5–7 Years
  • The average lifespan of an innerspring is between five and six years.

How can I make my plush mattress firmer?

A firm mattress topper is a simple solution to bring back some firmness to a soft mattress. Latex, memory foam, and poly-foam are the typical materials used because of the high resilience and support they offer.

Mattress toppers with a thickness of more than three inches are recommended for optimal results in modifying the feel of your bed. Thinner mattress toppers are commonly used to offer a small amount of extra padding to a bed without significantly altering the feel of the mattress below it.

Adding a bunkie board as a bed’s base is yet another easy solution to the soft mattress problem. Bunkie boards, which range in thickness from 1 to 3 inches, are designed to be placed under or in between a mattress and its current base to increase the mattress’s hardness and support.

Can you flip a plush mattress?

Most modern plush mattresses, including memory foam, latex, and hybrids, cannot be flipped due to their firm, inflexible construction. This was typical practice when innerspring mattresses were more widely used. Some mattresses are designed to be flipped, but before you do that, it’s a good idea to read the guarantee details.

Even if your plush mattress can’t be turned, rotating it every three to six months will keep it from sagging and distribute wear and tear evenly.

Are plush or ultra-plush mattresses better?

At a 1 on the hardness scale, ultra-plush mattresses are the least firm option available. Ultra-plush mattresses are unusual because they are overly soft and make most people feel like they are trapped in their bed. Plush mattresses are more widely available and provide enough conformity without being too restrictive, therefore we recommend them.

Are Plush Mattresses Right For You?

With this explanation of plush mattresses in hand, we hope you’ll find our recommendations useful. For those who prefer to sleep on their side or are particularly small and need extra cradling, a plush mattress is the way to go. Medium and firm mattresses can be just as pleasant without forcing you to sink into the bed if you don’t fit those criteria.

How do Euro top and plush mattresses differ?

Euro top mattresses have a thick comfort layer that is stitched underneath the surface of the mattress. Pillow top mattresses have the same style of comfort layer, except that it is stitched into the top or surface level of the mattress. For more information, read our Euro top vs pillow top mattress guide.

Mattresses with a Euro top have a thick comfort layer that is sewn directly into the top of the mattress. The comfort layer of a pillow top mattress is similar to that of a traditional mattress, except it is sewn directly into the mattress’s uppermost, surface layer. Our comparison of Euro and pillow top mattresses might help you decide.

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 plushest beds are the ultra-plush ones. Most people cannot get enough support with an ultra-plush mattress because it is too soft.

Some people find that sleeping on ultra-plush beds makes them feel trapped. Not to mention, a bed as comfortable as this one is unusual to find. Most businesses don’t sell beds with extremely luxurious textures because they aren’t ideal for most people.

Conclusion

A plush mattress has an extra thick comfort layer and a softer top layer for sleeping on. How firm a bed you require depends on factors such as your weight, how you sleep, and the state of your joints. A softer mattress provides more comfort and better support for those who are smaller and/or who sleep on their side. One further group of people who could use a softer bed is those who suffer from joint pain due to arthritis or another condition.

A firmer mattress is preferable for a heavier person who sleeps on their back or stomach. A firmer mattress helps persons with mobility challenges, like these people, by preventing them from sinking into the bed. Since they are in the center of the firmness spectrum, medium mattresses are a happy medium for couples.

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