A Plush mattress is designed to provide a softer, more cushioned sleeping surface. Often featuring a pillow-top or similarly luxurious comfort layer, Plush mattresses offer excellent conformance, allowing the surface to mould to your body and help relieve pressure on key areas such as the shoulders and hips.
This comfort level is particularly popular among side sleepers, older adults and anyone who enjoys the sensation of gently sinking into their mattress rather than sleeping on top of it. In this guide, we’ll explain what makes a mattress Plush, how it compares with Medium and Firm comfort levels, and the advantages and potential drawbacks to help you decide whether a Plush mattress is the right fit for you.
Key summary
- Plush mattresses offer a soft, cushioned feel while still providing supportive spinal alignment.
- Plush doesn’t mean unsupportive – the mattress core remains key to overall support.
- They are ideal for side sleepers and those seeking better pressure relief, but may not suit stomach sleepers.
- The right comfort level depends on your sleeping position, body type and personal preference.
- Testing different comfort levels is the best way to find your ideal mattress.
Plush, Medium or Firm – what's best for you?
Sealy’s scale of comfort encompasses Ultra Plush and Plush options, followed by Medium, Firm, and Ultra Firm. These options are available in every mattress range and model.
Determining which comfort level is right for you is a process of trial and error. The best way to find out if you suit a mattress is simply to try one in person. However, there are some general guidelines that may help you get started.
What is the difference?
Ultra Plush and Plush make use of supersoft foams and added comfort layers. Plush beds are often warmer, as the upper layers envelop more of the body.
A Medium comfort level offers the best of both worlds, combining quality foams without cradling the body.
Firm and Ultra Firm mattresses utilise dense foams that provide comfort without the sinking-in feeling. These mattresses usually hold you aloft on the sleep surface instead of cradling you, allowing for a naturally cooler sleep.
Regardless of your comfort option, the Sealy Posturepedic support system remains the same; a Plush mattress will give you the same level of orthopaedic support as a Medium or Firm. What does this mean?
What makes a mattress Plush?
The comfort of a mattress is synonymous with firmness. While some brands use a numeric scale to represent comfort or firmness, we use terms like Plush, Medium and Firm.
These terms refer to the types of comfort layers used inside the mattress, such as foams, and the ways they are assembled and layered. There are many different ways to incorporate foams and exotic fibres into a mattress in order to give it a soft feel. Each of our mattress models vary in terms of their support structures and designs, but they all offer a variety of comfort options to choose from.
In addition to supersoft foams and fibres, Plush and Ultra Plush models usually feature a gusseted, EuroTop or PillowTop construction. These are the extra sections of padding above the core of the mattress, designed to transition you into the support structure and provide additional cushioning. In contrast, TightTop mattresses have a single surface that is denser, without the added padding. You can see an example of this below.
PillowTop construction
TightTop construction
Comfort vs Support
When shopping for a mattress, it is easy to be confused by terminology and the subtle differences between mattress brands, makes and models. It is important to know, however, that there should be a difference between the comfort of a mattress and the support it offers.
At Sealy, when we mention support, we are referring to the structure beneath the comfort layers — the coils. Whether your mattress is a Plush or a Firm, the coils beneath the surface remain the same. For example, a Posturepedic Exquisite mattress has our RestSupport coil in every comfort option from softest to firmest.
On the other hand, comfort refers to the cushioning above the coils. An Exquisite Plush will vary significantly from an Exquisite Firm with different foams and often a different construction style. See the example above where the Firm mattress (on the right) has a TightTop without the gusseted padding on top.
The important point to note is that your mattress should not sacrifice support for comfort. It should be able to offer a Plush feel while maintaining appropriate support for your body.
What are the benefits of a Plush mattress?
- Better circulation: The softness of a Plush mattress can promote better blood flow by reducing pressure on critical areas of the body, which can prevent tingling or numbness when one wakes up.
- Reduced motion transfer: Many Plush mattresses have memory foam or hybrid designs that absorb motion. This is great for couples, as it minimizes disturbances from a partner’s movements.
- Gentle on joints: Plush mattresses relieve pain points around the shoulders, hips, and neck. This is particularly beneficial for side sleepers, as lying on the side places more pressure on those joints. People with joint pain or arthritis can also benefit from the pressure-relieving qualities of a Plush mattress, which minimizes stress on sore or inflamed areas.
- Luxurious, soft feeling: Plush mattresses often have a visually appealing, inviting appearance and feel indulgent, making your bedroom feel like a 5-star hotel.
Who is a Plush mattress best for?
These softer options are popular with side sleepers, as their sleep position naturally places more stress on the body’s pressure points, especially the hips and shoulders. We have an article for side sleepers on what to look for in a mattress to ensure you remain comfortable and supported. The added cushioning allows the body’s heaviest points to rest without constricting blood flow, reducing tossing and turning throughout the night.
Plush mattresses are also ideal for older adults who feel uncomfortable with harder surfaces or denser foams. They are also good for sleepers who often feel cold at night, as a Plush tends to envelop the body as you sink in. This naturally traps more heat as the mattress stays in contact with more of your body.
Plush mattress pros and cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
Added cushioning to ‘sink in’ |
PillowTop or EuroTop adds height to the mattress |
|
Contours more closely and cradles the body |
Traps more heat, and may not be suitable for warm sleepers |
|
Relieves pressure points for side sleepers |
May be too soft for back or stomach sleepers |
|
Warmer environment for those who feel the cold |
May be too soft for heavier sleepers |
The Sealy Plush range
Ready to experience Plush comfort?
If your questions have been answered and you’re ready to indulge in unmatched comfort and support, explore our luxurious selection of Plush mattresses in the Sealy range. With options to suit every preference and budget, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Crown Jewel
Unparalleled quality, comfort and support.
Sizes available: Super King, King, Queen, Double, Single XL, King Single, Single
Exquisite
Orthopaedic research and support.
Sizes available: Super King, King, Queen, Double, Single XL, King Single, Single
Acclaim
Designed to keep your spine aligned.
Sizes available: Super King, King, Queen, Double, Single XL, King Single, Single
Posture Series
Feel good support. Feel great mornings.
Sizes available: Super King, King, Queen, Double, Single XL, King Single, Single
Singles
Designed to support growing bodies at rest.
Sizes available: Single XL, King Single, Single
MATTRESS SELECTOR
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