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According to mattress review sites, plush or soft mattresses may best suit side sleepers, people with a lighter weight, and those looking for significant pressure relief.
A quick look at 8 of the best plush mattresses for 2023
- Best for side sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
- Best for restless sleepers: Helix Sunset
- Best for edge support: Casper Nova Hybrid
- Best for back support: The WinkBed
- Best for all sleeping styles: DreamCloud Hybrid
- Best for a very plush foam: Amerisleep AS5
- Best for firmness changes: Nest Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Best for a sustainable mattress: Amore Luxury Hybrid
This article will look at the evidence behind the pros and cons of plush mattresses, some points to consider when choosing, and some of the best plush mattresses according to researching the market.
According to mattress review sites, a soft mattress may best suit side sleepers and people with lighter body weights. The less weight put upon a mattress, the less a person will sink into it, and the more it will conform to their body shape.
A soft mattress may contour to the body, allowing people to sink into the mattress and providing pressure relief for certain parts of the body.
Plush mattresses may not suit people looking for optimal back support or spinal alignment.
Studies have shown that
Researchers using computational simulation to explore the impact of mattress firmness level on spinal position found that a softer mattress could lead to more pressure on the spine, particularly if the sleeper is using a standard pillow.
Medical News Today chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:
- Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
- Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
- Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
- Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
- Firmness: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
- Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
- Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers and whether shipping is free.
- Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products with warranties and clear returns policies.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for side sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
- List price: from $999
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Height: 13.5 inches (in)
- Sizes: RV bunk, twin, twin XL, full, short queen, queen, RV king, king, Cal king, and split Cal king
- Warranty: 10 years
The Aurora mattress is a hybrid mattress, combining foam and coils. People can choose from soft, medium, or firm feels.
According to the manufacturer, the soft option may best suit people who sleep on their side, want greater pressure point relief, and enjoy a “hugging” feel or gentle support for the contours of the body.
This mattress contains gel beads, copper that can help control temperature for cooler sleep, and higher density memory foam that responds to body movements and provides support and durability.
Pros and cons
This mattress may sleep cooler and be more responsive than foam mattresses due to the layer of coils that provide more contouring support and airflow. Additionally, this mattress may be an option for people looking for RV mattresses.
However, some customers state that there are not enough memory foam layers in the bed and they can still feel the coils, which makes sleep uncomfortable. Others report insufficient support on the edge of the mattress, causing them to sleep in the middle.
Best for restless sleepers: Helix Sunset
- List price: from $849
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Height: 11.5 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 10-year limited
According to the company, the Helix Sunset is a hybrid mattress with a plush feel that also provides pressure relief. Helix claims that this mattress is ideal for restless or side sleepers.
This mattress contains a memory foam layer to support pressure points. A breathable design and coil layer help allow airflow for a cooler sleep.
This mattress has CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certifications.
Pros and cons
Customers state that this mattress offers the right firmness and support for petite side sleepers under 140 pounds. People who left reviews also stated that the mattress was suitable to sleep on within a few hours of delivery.
However, other reviewers say they experienced more back pain after sleeping on this mattress. Others state they could feel the coils in the mattress while sleeping.
Best for edge support: Casper Nova Hybrid
- List price: from $1,795
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Height: 12 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 10 years
According to the manufacturers, the Nova Hybrid is a plush hybrid mattress that still provides support and a cool sleeping environment.
The company claims that this mattress allows airflow, wicks away warm air, supports spinal alignment, and relieves pressure around the shoulders, waist, hips, and lower back.
This mattress has firm edge support, which may benefit those who feel they will roll off the bed while sleeping.
Pros and cons
Reviewers who left positive reviews state that the mattress supports their joints, reducing aches and pains. Some people also state that they have less restless sleep when using this mattress.
However, some other reviewers note that the mattress is either too soft or too firm around the shoulders, leading to aches and pains and getting up several times while sleeping.
Best for back support: The WinkBed
- List price: from $1,149
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Height: 13.5 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and Cal king
- Warranty: lifetime
The WinkBed may suit people looking for a plush mattress with greater back support.
Although it is a medium-firm mattress, there is a soft option with a firmness rating of 4.5, which may best suit side sleepers.
This mattress has a pillow top with three layers to relieve pressure and contour to the body. The contents of this product may help support the joints and spinal alignment, while the coils and springs allow airflow and reduce motion transfer.
Pros and cons
Reviewers state that this mattress provides a more restful sleep and that they do not wake up with aches and pains. Some people state that this mattress has helped with recovery after physical activity.
However, others say that the mattress is too heavy to move and that the delivery company WinkBeds uses had delays and encountered problems when delivering to the front doors.
Best for all sleeping styles: DreamCloud Hybrid
- List price: from $599
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Height: 14 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and Cal king
- Warranty: lifetime
Although this is a medium-firm mattress, review sites rated it highly as a luxurious feeling mattress that best suits side sleepers and people with lighter weights.
According to the product website, some other features include a quilted foam and cashmere top, gel memory foam that contours to the body and provides pressure relief, and coils that respond to sleeping styles and reduce motion transfer.
Pros and cons
Some reviewers state that this mattress is especially good for people with back, hip, and shoulder pain. The reviewers note that they can sleep in any position on this mattress.
However, other reviewers state that the mattress does not have good edge support and that it is very difficult to move and rotate.
Best for a very plush foam: Amerisleep AS5
- List price: from $2,099
- Mattress type: memory foam
- Height: 14 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 20 years
The Amerisleep AS5 is a soft memory foam mattress. According to the product website, this mattress is breathable and wicks away warm air to provide a cooler sleeping surface.
Additionally, it relieves pressure points and is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with a CertiPUR-US certification. The company also states that the mattress will not sag.
Pros and cons
Reviewers state that this mattress is softer than hybrid products and may be a better option for those who require a very plush mattress. Additionally, the company states that this mattress is nontoxic and fiberglass free.
However, this mattress is one of the more expensive options. Reviewers have also reported off-gassing smells, poor edge support, and too firm support.
Best for firmness changes: Nest Bedding Signature Hybrid
- List price: from $1,226
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Height: 12 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, and split Cal king
- Warranty: lifetime
The Sparrow Hybrid offers a plush option that rates low on the firmness scale.
According to the product website, this mattress contains CertiPUR-US-certified foam and is suitable for all sleep styles.
Some other features include a quilted top for comfort, a temperature-regulating foam layer, and a replaceable comfort layer. The company will replace the comfort layer, therefore changing the firmness of the mattress for free.
Pros and cons
This mattress may be a good choice for people unsure if they would like a soft mattress, as the company replaces the comfort layer for free so people can try the different firmness feels. However, people can only take advantage of this option once.
On the other hand, reviewers have noted that the mattress has an off-gassing smell and can take some time to fluff up after unboxing.
Best for a sustainable mattress: Amore Luxury Hybrid
- List price: from $875
- Mattress type: hybrid
- Height: 12.5 in
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and Cal king
- Warranty: 20 years
The Amore Luxury Hybrid mattress may suit people looking for a more sustainable option. The mattress uses Global Organic Trading Standard (GOTS) organic cotton and wool and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) latex.
The medium option has a firmness rating of 4–5.
Some other features include a breathable, hypoallergenic sleeping surface with organic wool and organic latex to provide temperature regulation and spinal alignment.
This mattress features OKEO-TEX, CertiPUR-US, and carbon neutral certified latex foam.
Pros and cons
This mattress contains more sustainable and eco-friendly materials than other mattresses containing latex. Reviewers also note that they sleep cool and the mattress is comfortable and supportive.
However, this mattress is not suitable for people with a latex allergy.
The following table provides a comparison of the mattresses in this article.
| Starting price | Mattress type | Height | Sizes | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Bedding | $999 | hybrid | 13.5 in | RV bunk–split Cal king | 10 years |
| Helix | $849 | hybrid | 11.5 in | twin–Cal king | 10 years |
| Casper | $1,795 | hybrid | 12 in | twin–Cal king | 10 years |
| WinkBed | $1,149 | hybrid | 13.5 in | twin–Cal king | lifetime |
| DreamCloud | $599 | hybrid | 14 in | twin–Cal king | lifetime |
| Amerisleep | $2,099 | memory foam | 14 in | twin–Cal king | 20 years |
| Nest Bedding | $1,226 | hybrid | 12 in | twin–split Cal king | lifetime |
| Amore | $875 | hybrid | 12.5 in | twin–Cal king | 20 years |
According to mattress review sites, plush mattresses may not be as long lasting as firmer mattresses due to using softer, less durable materials. People can check to see if a mattress has anti-sag features and uses durable materials.
Mattresses can be expensive, so it is a good idea to check the warranty before purchasing. Warranties are a promise from the manufacturer to the consumer that the product should work as intended and they will stand behind it. Some anecdotal reports suggest that better quality products have longer warranties.
If a person has back pain, they may want to look for an orthopedic mattress specifically designed to support the joints and provide spinal alignment.
People may also want to consider how eco-friendly a mattress is and whether or not it contains chemical fire retardants or VOCs, which can be harmful.
People can also look for CertiPUR-US to check that the mattress has low VOC emissions and whether or not the mattress uses third party certified organic materials.
The type of material may affect the pressure relief that a mattress provides. For example, one 2017 study found that a latex mattress reduced pressure points better than a polyurethane mattress for a range of sleeping postures.
Here we answer some common questions about these mattresses.
Is a plush or firm mattress better?
Using a plush or firm mattress is often a matter of preference as firmness is subjective. However, people who are lighter and sleep on their sides may prefer a plush mattress.
If a person experiences low back pain, a
Is plush a good mattress?
A plush mattress may be the best option for side sleepers or those with a lighter body weight.
However, people who sleep in other positions, those who are heavier, and couples may find that plush mattresses do not provide enough support.
Are plush mattresses good for side sleepers?
Plush mattresses may be a good choice for side sleepers. A plush mattress can provide the hips and shoulders with more cushioning, which may help relieve or prevent pain at these pressure points.
Plush mattresses may also help keep the spine aligned, particularly if they have zoned support.
A soft mattress may best suit side sleepers and people with lighter body weights. People looking for back support and spinal alignment may find that a medium-firm mattress is best.
If a person wants a plush mattress that offers support, many mattresses combine a soft, cushioned top with support and pressure relief layers below.
If a person is unsure if a soft mattress is right for them, adding a mattress topper may be a cheap option to add an extra layer of comfort and softness to an existing mattress.