Plush vs. Medium Mattress

Choosing the perfect firmness for your bed is something you’ll need to consider whether you have memory foam, latex, or innerspring bed. Your bed’s mattress firmness is defined by how soft or hard your mattress feels.

Some sleepers will need a softer sleeping surface to contour their curves. Others may require a sturdy surface to support their body weight. Finding the right mattress firmness will depend on your sleeping position and body type, but some other factors might come into play.

Let’s dive in and look at plush and medium mattress types to see if these beds are the right fit for you. Later will look at the benefits and drawbacks of each and provide you with some other choices.

About the Firmness Scale

A great way to determine what mattress will be best for you is by learning about the firmness scale. Firmness is measured on a scale from 1-to 10, with 1 being soft and 10 being extra-firm.

Take a look at where plush and medium mattresses land on the scale:

• Soft or plush is 2-4
• Medium-soft is 4
• Medium is 5-6
• Medium-firm is 6-7
• Firm is 7-8
• Extra-firm is 8-10

Plush Mattresses

As you may have noticed above, plush mattresses rate about a 2 or 3 on the firmness scale. These beds are popular because they can be especially good for sleepers with joint or muscle pain. Their conforming nature is due to their extra plush comfort layers.

Typically, plush mattresses have ultra-soft comfort layers that are about 2 inches thick. These layers provide the perfect surface for sleepers to sink into the bed and experience contouring comfort. Plush mattresses are also about 12 to 14 inches thick.

Who Are Plush Mattresses For?

You should know that plush mattresses aren’t the best for all sleepers. They are usually only recommended for side sleepers and lighter sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds. Let’s see if a plush mattress is the best choice for your sleep needs.

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers will more than likely enjoy the comfort of plush beds. Since side sleepers put large amounts of pressure on their shoulders, they need a mattress to provide them with more cushioning and relief.

A softer bed will provide contouring for sensitive areas like your neck and side to reduce muscle tension, making them excellent mattresses for side sleepers. Side sleepers who use firm beds will usually have a harder time getting comfortable.

Lighter Sleepers

Light sleepers will experience more comfort on plush beds. Soft beds are responsive and offer more compression than other mattresses. Smaller individuals will sink into these beds, but it will not cause the mattress to sink. Heavier sleepers will probably sink too far into a plush bed and feel highly uncomfortable.

Individuals With Pre-Existing Conditions

Sometimes a firm bed can be just what a sleeper needs to relieve their back pain. However, the surface can feel ‘too’ firm for others. The sturdiness of firm mattresses can cause pressure to build up in your hips, shoulders, and lower back. In this case, a plush bed might be comfier. So, making the swap may provide more compression and improve your sleep quality.

Benefits of a Plush Mattress

• Good choice for side sleepers
• Warm sleeping surface
• Pressure point relief

Drawbacks of a Plush Mattress

• Prone to sinking and sagging.
• Not compatible with plus-size or stomach sleepers.
• Potentially shorter lifespan
• Surface can be too hot for some

Those looking for an amazing plush memory foam mattress that won’t overheat or take forever to bounce back into place should consider the AS5 by Amerisleep. This mattress offers much more responsiveness and temperature control than most plush mattresses. This makes it perfect for hot sleepers who need tons of pressure relief.

How It Feels

The AS5 features Bio-Pur® foam. This foam swaps some petroleum products for plant oils. That makes a plant-based foam that fixes a lot of the problems inherent to traditional memory foam without injecting even more synthetic ingredients.

You’ll notice when lying down that the AS5’s sleep surface is much cooler than that of a typical all-foam mattress. It’s also much more responsive, springing back into place as soon as you change sleep position.

Mattress Construction

The first layer of this mattress is the Refresh Cover that helps dissipate your body heat by turning it into healthy far infrared energy.

Next comes the comfort layer of pressure-relieving Bio-Pur® foam. This highly contouring foam cradles your pressure points for all-night comfort. The next layer of Active Flex material adds even more pressure relief without sacrificing buoyancy.

Next, the HIVE® transition layer offers targeted pressure relief. Each of its five zones offers the perfect balance of cushioning and support to keep your spine aligned and your body lifted.

Finally, the Bio-Core® layer offers firm support to counter all the soft layers and ensure you don’t sink into the bed. This ultra-dense foam also increases the lifespan of this mattress to a full two decades, which is why it sports a 20-year warranty!

Medium Mattresses

If you are looking for a mattress with a nice balance between soft and firm, then a medium mattress is your best choice. Medium mattresses are about a 5 or 6 on the firmness scale.

They have soft comfort layers like plush beds, but they respond quickly to pressure. This can be great for sleepers who want a bed with a little give, without too much sinkage.

Who Are Medium Mattresses For?

A medium mattress will accommodate most sleepers, but some individuals will not find them comfortable. Here we’ll look at who should use a medium mattress.

Combination Sleepers

Combination sleepers are better suited for medium beds because these beds will accommodate differing positions. A mattress with a medium firmness will provide enough sinkage for a side sleeper.

Plus, they do an excellent job of easing the tension in your neck and shoulder muscles. These beds are also sturdy enough for back sleepers and will keep your spine properly aligned.

We will mention that some back sleepers will not feel comfortable on a medium bed. Plus-size sleepers, in particular, will probably have trouble getting comfy. These beds will likely sink or sag due to too much-added pressure.

Lightweight and Average Sleepers

Lightweight and average-sized sleepers are under 230 pounds and will be able to get comfortable on a medium bed. Medium beds are less responsive than softer ones, which prevent sagging and sinking. They also have better edge support, so the perimeter of your bed will not wear down as quickly.

A plus-sized sleeper (weighing more than 230 pounds) will still feel a bit of sinkage on a medium bed. For this reason, we recommend you purchase a medium-firm or firm mattress if you fall into this category.

Couples

Medium beds accommodate most body types, and sleeping positions are an excellent option for couples. If one person is a back sleeper and the other person is a side sleeper, these beds will be able to promote the proper spinal alignment for both positions.

It will also do an excellent job isolating motion transfer depending on what type of mattress material you choose. Usually, memory foam and latex beds offer excellent motion isolation to lessen sleeping disruptions. It’s pretty rare to find a medium innerspring mattress.

However, if you choose an inspiring bed, keep in mind that these beds are not the best for motion isolation. It’s common for the bed to squeak when you switch positions, which could ultimately cause disruptions for you and your partner.

Benefits of a Medium Mattress

• Accommodate different sleeping positions
• Don’t sink as much as soft beds
• Contouring abilities

Disadvantages of a Medium Mattress

• Not the best for plus-size sleepers
• It may not be the best for back sleepers

Those looking for a medium mattress with a little extra support should consider the Zoma Mattress. This memory foam mattress was designed by athletes for athletes. But it can be fantastic for any sleeper with an active lifestyle, whether you hit the gym every day or have a physically demanding job.

How It Feels

The Zoma sports a highly breathable cover, gel memory foam, and a layer of bouncy foam to create more responsiveness. This means you can toss and turn all night without worrying about overheating or waiting for body impressions to go away.

The medium feel also offers tons of versatility. It’s a great compromise for many couples. And it can support the widest variety of sleep positions so that combo sleepers can change things up without worrying about lack of cushioning or support.

Mattress Construction

The first layer of the Zoma is the breathable AirCloth cover. This ventilated performance fabric wicks away body heat and sweat to keep you cool all night long.

The gel memory foam comfort layer underneath the airy cover enhances the cooling comfort by pulling heat away from your body and deeper into the mattress. It also offers three zones of cushioning to offer targeted pressure relief to each body area.

The ReactivTM layer comes next. This layer helps to increase the gel memory foam’s responsiveness, so it jumps right back into place. This means you can toss and turn to your heart’s delight without waiting for the bed to catch up.

Finally, you’ll find a layer of durable Support+ foam. This foam provides tons of lift to ensure you won’t sink down into the bed and your spine remains in healthy alignment. It also means this bed will resist sagging and soft spot development for a full decade.

Plush vs. Medium Mattresses

Now that you’ve learned a bit about medium and soft mattresses, let’s take a look at a few more factors to help you choose between the two.

Hot Sleepers

If you are a hot sleeper, we recommend choosing a medium bed. Medium beds do not have extra thick comfort layers that retain heat. Since it is more of a sturdy surface than the plush layers of a soft bed, it will probably keep you cool at night.

Soft beds tend to retain a lot of heat and will more than likely cause hot sleepers to sweat, making bedtime super uncomfortable. However, if you enjoy the comfort of a warm and cozy bed, you shouldn’t run into any problems.

Body Weight

You should always consider your body type before you purchase a new mattress. If a mattress is too firm for your body type, it will make your sleep extremely uncomfortable. You may even spend extra time trying to get comfy each night, or worse, and you could have trouble getting enough sleep each night.

In turn, if someone heavier chooses a too-soft mattress, they may not provide enough support. For example, mattresses for back pain should rarely be anything below a medium, as too much cushion can cause misalignment.

If you are an average-sized sleeper (weighing between 130 to 230 pounds), a medium mattress is the best choice. Medium beds are a good combination of softness and semi-sturdy support. A lighter sleeper might want to choose a mattress that is a bit softer for extra cushioning and pressure point relief. Heavier sleepers will most likely need a firmer mattress.

Sleeping Position

Sleeping position will also play a huge role in the quality of your sleep. You’ll want to always choose a mattress to accommodate your favorite sleeping position or multiple positions if you’re a combination sleeper. Here is a breakdown of the mattress firmness you should choose based on your sleeping position:

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers will probably prefer a medium bed. These sleepers require a sturdy surface to keep their hips and back from sinking.

Side Sleepers:

Plush mattresses are a popular choice for side sleepers. The soft layers can be beneficial for relieving tension on pressure points but will also support your neck and back.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleeping is not always the best position to achieve good sleep. We suggest that you try your best to avoid this position and transition to side or back sleeping.

If you cannot sleep in another position, you will need a firm. So it’s best to steer clear of both plush and medium mattresses. A firmer mattress will keep your chest and hips from sinking while you sleep. This will take some strain off of your back.

Combination Sleepers

Combination sleepers will often switch positions throughout the night. Medium beds may offer enough support for sleepers who transition between back and side sleepers, but it may cause issues for those who sleep on their stomach. It will be better to choose a firm mattress for more support.

Lifespan

Cheap mattresses do not always provide the best support, and they wear down faster. That’s why it’s essential to choose beds made with durable materials. A quality mattress should last between 7 to 10 years.

It’s worth mentioning that soft beds tend to sag and sink over time. They are made with extra-plush material that can sag when too much pressure is added to the surface. So it may be a safer bet to get a mattress with a sturdier surface like a medium bed.

Other Types of Mattresses

If a plush or medium bed doesn’t seem like the right choice, you have a few other options at your disposal. Here we look at other mattresses to keep an eye out for while you’re shopping.

Firm Mattresses

Firm beds are the best options for plus-size sleepers. These beds are pretty thin, with most mattresses ranging around 10 to 12 inches thick with 1-inch comfort layers.

Firm beds do not compress as much as soft beds, but they can provide a sturdy surface for sleepers who need extra back support. Firm beds have exceptional edge support, so sleepers will be able to lie in these beds without worrying about sagging or sinking.

SEE ALSO:

• Firm vs. Medium Mattress
• Firm vs. Soft Mattress

Extra-Firm Mattresses

Extra-firm mattresses are the firmest mattress on the market and rate a ten on the firmness scale. These mattresses do not have much cushioning and are usually about 10 inches thick. Extra-firm beds have a simple construction since they don’t feature advanced cushioning systems compared to softer beds.

Conclusion

The plush and medium mattress will probably only work for light and average sleepers. Heavier sleepers should choose firmer mattresses since these offer good support for sensitive body areas like your back and neck.

We should also mention that just because you are a light or average sleeper doesn’t mean you’ll love the comfort of a plush or medium bed. Always check with your mattress manufacturer to see if they offer sleep trials. This way, you can test out your mattress comfort before you commit, ensuring you choose the best mattress for you the first time.