What Is a Plush Mattress, and Do You Need One?

January 21, 2022 | Casper Editorial Team

Dream of sinking into a cozy cloud after a long day? A plush mattress might be just what you need. But first: What is a plush mattress? 

A plush mattress is one that’s soft—it gently cradles your body as you drift off to sleep. Most bed types can come in a plush softness. This cushiony mattress type isn’t for everyone, though. Many sleepers need a firmer bed for maximum comfort. 

Below, we’ll show you where plush mattresses fall on the firmness scale and explain who benefits most from soft beds. Then, we’ll compare plush mattresses to other cushy beds to help you achieve your softest sleep.

At Casper, our most plush mattress is also supremely supportive. The Casper Nova® Hybrid Mattress now combines foam and springs for added lift, airflow, and edge support.

What Is a Plush Mattress?

A plush, or soft, mattress is cushiony-soft and allows you to sink in when you lie down. It’s low on the firmness scale, cradling your body with materials designed for comfort and fluff.

There are several different types of plush mattresses available. Your favorite mattress type can come in plush softness, but different types of plush mattresses have their differences. Here’s an overview:

Mattress Type Softness Level Best Sleeping Position Pricing
Plush innerspring/coil Soft-medium Side or back Budget to luxury
Plush memory foam Soft Side Mid-tier to luxury
Plush hybrid Soft Side or back Mid-tier to luxury
Plush with pillow top Extra soft Side Budget to luxury
  • Plush innerspring/coil — Innerspring or coil mattresses tend to feel a little firmer. Therefore, a plush innerspring mattress will feel somewhere between soft to medium-firm. It’s best for side or back sleepers. Stomach sleepers need more firmness to stay supported.
  • Plush memory foam — Memory foam is supportive with a cozy feel. A plush memory foam mattress is sure to feel quite soft. It’s perfect for side sleepers who need contouring around their hips and shoulders.
  • Plush hybrid — A plush hybrid mattress strikes a balance between cushy and supportive. It provides ideal softness for both side and back sleepers.
  • Plush with pillow top — A plush mattress is already fluffy, but a pillow top adds another layer of comfort. Expect this type of mattress to feel extra soft. 

Mattress Firmness Comparison

Mattress firmness is often measured on a 1-10 scale. Plush mattresses tend to fall low on the scale, ranking around the 3 or 4 mark.

Here are the main features of each mattress firmness level:

  • Extra soft/ultra plush — These rare mattresses are extremely soft, but offer very minimal support.
  • Soft/plush These soft yet supportive mattresses let you sink into them and gently cradle your body.
  • Medium-firm Halfway between plush and firm, medium-firm mattresses are designed with equal parts softness and support.
  • Firm A firm mattress is perfect for heavier sleepers or stomach sleepers who need extra support. Compared to a medium-firm mattress, a firm mattress feels a bit harder.
  • Extra firm — This mattress type is the firmest, which can be too hard for some people to find comfortable but feels ideal for some heavier sleepers. 

Firmness vs. Support

“Plush” refers to a mattress’s firmness level. But what about support?

Though they’re related, firmness and support aren’t the same thing. Here’s the main difference:

  • Firmness refers to how much you sink into your mattress. 
  • Support is how well your mattress supports your spine. 

Support levels differ depending on the mattress materials and features. For example, Casper mattresses with Zoned Support™ include zones that strategically help align your spine for all-night comfort.

Plush mattresses have a low firmness, so they let you sink in. However, a high-quality plush mattress will still include ample support technology. 

Who Should Use a Plush Mattress?

There are a couple different factors that go into whether you should consider a plush mattress. Here’s a list of people who might benefit from a plush/soft mattress. 

Side or Back Sleepers

If you’re a side sleeper, your hips and shoulders may thank you if you opt for a softer mattress. Plush mattresses provide cushiony support for the hips and shoulders, while a firmer mattress can cause too much pressure and leave you waking up with aches.

A back sleeper’s weight is more evenly distributed, so any mattress firmness, including plush, can work for them. 

Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, benefit most from firm mattresses because they need more support to keep their hips from sinking below their heads. A plush mattress may cause a stomach sleeper’s hips to sag and potentially cause discomfort. 

Sleepers With Hip and Shoulder Pain 

As mentioned above, sleepers who experience pain points on their hips and shoulders could benefit from a plush mattress. A soft or plush mattress can contour around the body and relieve pressure on those areas. 

However, a medium-firm to firm mattress can be a better mattress option for back pain. This is because you’ll want to keep your spine extra supported and straight for proper alignment. 

Petite Sleepers

The more you weigh, the more you’ll sink into a soft mattress. That’s why petite sleepers who are less than 130 pounds may find plush mattresses most comfortable; the mattress will contour their body without sagging too much. Those who weigh more may find that a firmer mattress is more comfortable because they won’t sink in too drastically.

Casper’s Plush Mattress

If you’re nodding your head and thinking a plush mattress is perfect for your needs, we’ve got the mattress for you. 

The Casper Nova® Hybrid Mattress offers a lavishly plush and stretchy top layer to keep bedtime extra cozy. Knit fabrics and quilted textiles make you feel like you’re sinking into a cloud.  

Mattress highlights:

  • Zoned Support™ Pro — Seven ergonomic zones help keep your spine aligned.
  • AirScape® 2  — Two layers of perforated foam help keep you cool all night.
  • Resilient springs — Hundreds of resilient springs add lift, airflow, and a bit of bounce.
  • Snow Technology — The Casper Nova® Hybrid Snow Mattress pairs plushness with coolness for refreshing nights of rest. Our most advanced cooling features help prevent overheating for 12+ hours. 

Who it’s best for: 

  • Side and back sleepers
  • Hot sleepers

Other Soft Mattress Types

You might have heard other terms regarding soft mattresses floating around, like “ultra-plush,” “pillow top,” and “Euro top.” Here’s where a plush mattress differs from those terms.

Plush vs. Ultra-Plush

An ultra-plush mattress is just like a plush mattress, only softer. This is the softest firmness level you’ll find, but it’s rare. That’s because people often find that an ultra-plush mattress lets them sink in too much and they feel “trapped” in bed. Plush mattresses, however, provide a similar softness without feeling constrictive.

Plush vs. Pillow Top

A pillow top mattress is an innerspring or hybrid mattress that includes a short layer of soft cotton, down, or other material on top for added comfort. This layer is usually only around an inch thick, and while it can add a little comfort to an otherwise firm bed, it doesn’t provide any support. 

While a pillow top is the soft top layer of a mattress, a plush mattress refers to a whole mattress designed with a soft firmness level. 

Plush vs. Euro Top

A Euro top is similar to a pillow top. It’s another type of upper layer on an innerspring mattress. The difference is that while a pillow top is sewn on the very top of the mattress, a Euro top sits underneath the top cover of the mattress. Like a pillow top, a Euro top adds softness but no support. 

A Euro top is a comfort layer on top of a mattress, while a plush mattress is a mattress that’s overall designed for cushiony comfort while still providing support. 

FAQs

  • What Is a Plush Firm Mattress?
  • If you see a mattress labeled “plush firm,” it’s likely somewhere in between a plush and firm level. It may indicate that the mattress has the support level of a firm mattress with the soft comfort of a plush one.

  • How Long Do Plush Mattresses Last?
  • Mattresses, including plush ones, generally have a lifespan of seven to 10 years. However, mattress longevity is determined by mattress type rather than firmness level. Here’s a quick overview of roughly how long each type of mattress lasts:

    –Innerspring: 5-8 years
    –Foam: 8-10 years
    –Latex: 10-12 years
    –Hybrid: 8-10 years

    The lifespan of a plush mattress will also depend on how well you take care of it. For example, rotating your mattress every few months can help keep it in top-notch condition.

  • Can I Make a Plush Mattress Firmer?
  • If you love your plush mattress but think it could use just a tad more firmness and height, you can add a mattress topper. 

    A mattress topper provides a little extra cushion and rise. Our Casper Mattress Topper was created with supportive foam and three layers of comfort to do just the job.

  • Can I Flip a Plush Mattress?
  • Most plush mattresses made of latex or memory foam cannot be flipped. Back when coil mattresses were the most popular, it was more common to flip your mattress. However, most modern mattresses are designed with specific layers that need to stay upright to give you the best comfort and support. 

    That said, some companies do make dual-sided mattresses that need flipping. It’s a good idea to check your mattress’s warranty to see if you should flip it or not.

    If you have a plush mattress that shouldn’t be flipped, you should still rotate the mattress every few months. We suggest rotating your Casper mattress every three to six months to prevent lumps, sagging, and wear.

    With Casper’s Nova® Hybrid Mattress, you can have superior plushness without sacrificing support. With a luxurious top layer, the Nova® Hybrid is designed to let you sleep in alignment and let your back muscles rest. Plus, we’ve paired it with Snow Technology for 12+ hours of cooler sleep. 

    Inviting and soft, our most plush mattress will have you drifting off on a cloud in no time.