Difference Between Plush and Firm Mattress

The very first thing that comes to mind when you’re looking to buy a new mattress is how comfortable you’d want your mattress to be so that you feel totally comfortable sleeping on it. Of course you’d want a trade-off between quality and cost. But at the same time, you don’t want to compromise on the comfort factor as well. This begs the question – whether you’d want a plush mattress or a firm one? So if you’re having a hard time holding a position when sleeping, it’s time to change your mattress. But the question is which one? We help you choose the best type of mattress for your need by pointing out the key differences between a plush and a firm mattress.

What is a Plush Mattress?

A plush mattress is an extra soft mattress often made from memory foam to provide a soft feel. A plush mattress is a perfect trade-off between a firm bed and a pillow top one. Plush is a term often thrown around by companies to describe the level of softness their surface layers offer. Generally, plush refers to anything that is soft and comfortable, and expensive too. So, a plush mattress is a very soft, sinkable mattress which makes you sink into it like you’re sleeping on cloud foam. It also provides good support for your back so that you don’t hurt your back while sleeping. Mainly made of memory foam, a plush mattress would deform under pressure and get back to its original shape. Your sleeping posture determines the level of comfort you need from your mattress to get a nice good-night sleep. If you are a side sleeper, you’ll probably need a much softer plush mattress for a good support for your shoulders and hips.

What is a Firm Mattress?

Although, most people believe that the harder the mattress, the healthier it is, this is not always the case. Experts say firm is good but the question is how firm. A firm mattress, as the name suggests, is firm but it does not give that sinking feel you’d get from a plush mattress. Companies generally describe their surface comfort level on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the most firm. Firmness of a mattress can be described in three simple categories: soft, medium and firm. A firm mattress is more firm to the touch and does not have a ton of give, so it contours to your body less on initial touch, providing sturdy support and a more even surface to sleep on. However, there is no safety standard for firmness or even a quantitative measure to use for comparison, so it all comes down to personal preference.

Difference between Plush and Firm Mattress

Softness Level 

– Generally, plush refers to anything that is soft and comfortable, and expensive too. A plush mattress is a very soft, sinkable mattress which makes you sink into it like you’re sleeping on cloud foam. Mattresses are generally measured in terms of softness or firmness on a scale of 1 to 10. Anything below 6 would be softer with 1 being the softest. Above 6, you would be getting firmer with 9 or 10 being the most firm. A firm mattress, as the name suggests, is firm but it does not give that sinking feel you’d get from a plush mattress.

Construction

 – What makes a mattress plush or what makes a mattress firm basically depends on its construction. In general, inner spring mattresses are firmer than all foam mattresses. A plush mattress is an extra soft mattress often made from memory foam to provide a soft feel. But a memory foam mattress doesn’t necessarily means it’s always going to be on the softer side. A few mattresses also have a layer of memory foam on top but a much thinner layer, which make them much firmer. Mattresses can also feel firmer or softer depending on your bodyweight.

Comfort 

– The comfort factor of a mattress or how comfortable you’d want your mattress to be mainly depends on what type of sleeper you are. Your sleeping posture determines the level of comfort you need from your mattress. A plush mattress feels more soft and comfortable to the touch, and it’s what you generally think of when you think of a warm, cozy goodnight sleep. They are great for side sleepers because they provide good support for their shoulders and hips. Stomach and back sleepers may find more comfort in medium firm mattresses because these provide a more even surface to sleep on.

Plush vs. Firm Mattress: Comparison Chart

Summary

When talking about firmness, generally companies say that it’s in the range of 6 to 6.5 out of 10 with 10 being the firmest, while anything below 6 would start to give you a more plush feel sinking into soft materials. Basically, just how comfortable you’d want your mattress to be mainly depends on what type of sleeper you are. A plush mattress feels softer and more comfortable to the touch and it also provides good support for your back. So, if you are a side sleeper, you’d probably find plush mattresses more comfortable because they provide good support for shoulders and hips. Similarly, firm mattresses provide a more even surface, so they are a good choice among stomach or back sleepers. However, firmness levels won’t be the same for everybody of the different weights and body positions of the sleepers.

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