What Is A Plush Mattress?

The AS5 is the softest memory foam mattress in our lineup. The 14-inch AS5 has a breathable and soft cover to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable. Underneath the casing is four layers of different foam.

The mattress’s comfort layer is 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, a plant-based memory foam found as the comfort layer of all of our mattresses. Similar to traditional memory foam, Bio-Pur® contours to your body’s curves and relieves pressure. However, it’s more breathable than traditional memory foam because the foam is porous and temperature neutral, meaning the foam won’t soften or get hot in response to body heat.

While the AS5 is soft, it’s still responsive and supportive thanks to the Active Flex layer. The 2 inches of latex-like transition foam add bounciness and prevent the feeling of being stuck in the bed. The Active Flex layer is exclusive to the AS5 and AS5 Hybrid to ensure even the softest beds are still lifting and responsive to movement.

Underneath the Active Flex is the 2-inch Affinity layer with HIVE® technology. HIVE® technology features hexagonal cutouts in the foam with five zones around the head, shoulders, back, hips, and feet.

Around the back and hips, the hexagonal cutouts are tightly packed for firmness, but around the head, shoulders, and feet, the cutouts are spread apart for more softness. This zoned support technology promotes an even weight distribution and neutral spine.

At the bottom of the mattress is the Bio-Core® base, a 7-inch thick foundation designed to support the upper layers.

If you’re looking for some extra bounce in your plush mattress, consider the AS5 Hybrid. The AS5 has the luxurious comfort of a memory foam mattress, combined with the responsiveness and support of an innerspring mattress.

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

Unlike the AS5, which has the Affinity layer with HIVE® and Bio-Core® base, the AS5 Hybrid contains 8 inches of pocketed coils as its support system. Each AS5 Hybrid has hundreds of coils individually wrapped in fabric to limit motion transfer while remaining responsive.

The coils inside the AS5 Hybrid are made with upcycled steel for an eco-friendly mattress. The pocketed coils along the sides also offer enhanced edge support for easier mobility.

While we design all of our mattresses to prevent hot sleeping, the hybrid mattress’s construction has additional air channels to help you stay cool.

Underneath the pocketed coils is 1 inch of base foam for the coils to bounce off of and boost the mattress’s overall durability.

The beds are available in seven different sizes, including a split king for couples with different firmness preferences. Also, both the AS5 and AS5 Hybrid are CertiPUR-US® certified, minimizing the unpleasant off-gassing smell from new mattresses.

Plush Mattresses vs. Other Soft Mattress Types

Now that we’ve established plush mattresses as one of the softest options, let’s take a look at two other soft mattress types you might find when shopping: pillow top and Euro-top mattresses.

Plush vs. Pillow Top

A pillow top is a bed with a soft comfort layer, typically an inch or so thick, sewn on top of a mattress with a coil construction, namely an innerspring or hybrid. Pillow top layers are usually made from materials such as cotton, wool, or down for added softness, but they provide no support.

Plush mattresses describe a mattress’s firmness as a whole, while a pillow top simply refers to the top layer of a mattress. Still, many companies often describe their pillow top or Euro top mattresses as plush because it enhances the softness of coil beds, which can be firm on their own.

Plush vs. Euro top

A Euro top is another type of pillow top mattress, though the titles are often used interchangeably. Pillow tops and Euro tops are the cushiony upper layers on coil mattresses, but Euro tops are underneath a mattress’s cover, while a pillow top is visibly stitched over a mattress. A Eurotop mattress’s plushness feels luxurious and can ease potential pressure points for both petite and side sleepers.

Both plush and Euro top mattresses are ultra-soft and conforming. And since Euro tops are underneath a mattress’s cover versus sewn on top of it, they’re nearly indistinguishable from plush mattresses.

Plush Mattresses vs. Other Mattress Firmnesses

If you’re a back, stomach, or plus-sized sleeper and plush mattresses just don’t seem to meet your needs, consider looking into other mattress firmnesses, such as firm and medium, to better correspond with your sleeping position and size.

Plush vs. Firm

Firm mattresses are the opposite of plush, rating a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Firm mattresses provide an even, comfortable sleep surface for stomach, back, and plus-sized sleepers who need more pushback to prevent them from sinking in the bed.

Firm mattresses have a rather thin comfort layer, while plush mattresses have quite thick comfort layers that usually contribute to a taller mattress thickness.

Some companies refer to their mattresses as “plush firm,” though this can be pretty confusing. When you see the term plush firm, it’s describing a firm mattress with additional padding, similar to a pillow top mattress. This type of mattress may also be called “luxury firm” or “cushion firm.”

Plush vs. Medium

Medium mattresses are a 5 on the firmness scale and one of the most popular firmness choices. A medium mattress is firmer than a plush mattress but still has some give to avoid pressure build-up.

Medium mattresses are a good option for side sleepers because they promote neutral alignment but still provide necessary cradling. Medium mattresses also suit couples since they typically have minimal motion transfer and are a versatile surface for different sleep positions.

FAQs

Is a plush mattress good for your back?

Side and back sleeping are the best sleeping positions for back health because both positions help maintain the spine’s natural curve without creating pressure in the back.

Side sleepers rest well on plush mattresses since they need extra cushioning for the widest parts of their bodies, the hips and shoulders. At the same time, soft mattresses hold side sleepers’ waists in place, keeping them in line with their hips and shoulders and promoting a neutral spine.

Back sleeping isn’t recommended on a plush mattress unless you’re petite. Without added support layers, back sleepers might find their lower back starting to sink.

A medium to medium-firm mattress is generally best for back sleepers who are prioritizing back health because these mattresses are stiff enough to prevent sinking but are still soft enough to minimize pressure build-up.

How long do plush mattresses last?

Most plush mattresses last roughly 7 to 10 years, though a mattress’s lifespan isn’t dictated by firmness as much as mattress type. Different types of mattresses will break down sooner (or later) 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?

An easy way to firm up your plush mattress is by using a firm mattress topper. They’re commonly made with latex, memory foam, or poly-foam, all of which can provide excellent bounce and support.

Using at least a 3-inch mattress topper is ideal because thicker toppers have a bigger impact on your mattress’s overall feel. Thinner mattress toppers have a less drastic impact on your mattress’s feel but are popularly used to add just a bit more cushioning to a bed.

Another simple way to make your mattress firmer is by placing a bunkie board underneath it. Bunkie boards are 1 to 3-inch slabs of plywood made to enhance your mattress’s firmness and provide support, and you can use them on the floor or between your mattress’s current base to enhance support and firmness alike.

Can you flip a plush mattress?

Back when innerspring mattresses were popular, it was common to regularly flip your mattress, but most modern plush mattresses, such as memory foam, latex, and hybrids, aren’t flippable due to their specific upright structure. Some mattress manufacturers do make dual-sided to be flipped, but always check your mattress’s warranty before flipping it.

If your plush mattress can’t be flipped, you can still rotate your mattress every 3 to 6 months to prevent sagging and even out wear and tear.

Are plush or ultra-plush mattresses better?

Ultra-plush mattresses are the softest mattress firmness on the market, at a 1 out of 10 on the firmness scale. It’s uncommon to find ultra-plush mattresses since they’re too cushiony for most sleepers and cause sleepers to feel stuck or trapped inside of their bed. We suggest plush mattresses because they’re more readily available and are adequately conforming without being constricting.

Are Plush Mattresses Right For You?

Now that we’ve broken down what plush mattresses are, we hope we could better guide you on your mattress hunt. Plush mattresses are a soft, hug-like sleep surface best for side and petite sleepers in need of extra cradling at night. However, if you don’t fit those recommendations, fear not—medium and firm mattresses can be just as comfortable without causing you to sink into your bed.