Whats A Soft Mattress
On the mattress firmness scale, soft mattresses are roughly between a 2 to 3. A soft bed is highly responsive and easily conforms under a sleepers body.
Whats unique to soft mattresses is their thick comfort layer made from materials such as memory foam or latex. The mattresses are usually about 12 to 14 inches thick, while the comfort layers are at least 2 to 4 inches thick.
Plush Vs Firm Mattress: What Is Better For You
The firm vs. soft mattress debate has been going on practically since the beginning of time, or at least since the invention of high-quality mattresses, and will likely remain unresolved due to the subjective nature of sleep. So if youre asking yourself, Do I need a firm or soft mattress? the answer is neither.
Its not entirely about what you need, but what you want.
There is no universal need for a plush or firm sleep surface. There are, however, special considerations to be made according to what a sleeper wants based on their body type, sleep position, and individual characteristics. Below youll find some general recommendations based on the science of sleep and mattress construction.1
Consider choosing a firm mattress if:
- Youre a back or stomach sleeperor like to switch it up just about every night.
- You suffer regularly from lower back pain.
- You need some added mattress thickness to avoid sinking too deeply
- You run hot at night and are prone to night sweats.
Consider choosing a plush mattress if:
- Youre a side sleeper who will benefit from the cushion and support of a softer surface.
- Youre a petite sleeper who wont sink too deeply into a softer mattress.
- You suffer from chronic joint pain and need help alleviating pressure and soreness.
Regardless of what seems to suit your preferences on paper, look for a company that offers a trial period so that you can test out a new mattress properly before committing to it long-term.
What Is A Plush Mattress
A plush mattress is an extra soft mattress often made from memory foam to provide a soft feel. A plush mattress is a perfect trade-off between a firm bed and a pillow top one. Plush is a term often thrown around by companies to describe the level of softness their surface layers offer. Generally, plush refers to anything that is soft and comfortable, and expensive too. So, a plush mattress is a very soft, sinkable mattress which makes you sink into it like youre sleeping on cloud foam. It also provides good support for your back so that you dont hurt your back while sleeping. Mainly made of memory foam, a plush mattress would deform under pressure and get back to its original shape. Your sleeping posture determines the level of comfort you need from your mattress to get a nice good-night sleep. If you are a side sleeper, youll probably need a much softer plush mattress for a good support for your shoulders and hips.
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Is It True That Plush Beds Are Unhealthy For You
It’s a popular misperception that firm beds are better for you than plush beds, but this isn’t true. Firm beds and plush beds are simply designed for different types of sleepers.
Plush mattresses should provide adequate cushioning, whether you are diminutive, a combination sleeper, or a side sleeper. If you sleep on your stomach or back, however, the padding and sagging may cause your spine to flex in an abnormal way, causing discomfort and pain.
Whats Your Body Weight
Yes, thats a really important criterion to consider. Relying only on the way a certain mattress feels is a bad decision it may seem that its just a perfect option, but if you choose the wrong product, it will have its negative consequences. So, lets take a look at the three categories of weight and mattresses that are better for light, average & heavy people.
If you weigh less than 130 lbs
The scheme is simple: the lighter a sleeper is, the less is pressure on a mattress. Consequently, they can afford softer options they just dont sink into them as much as heavier people do. By the way, people who weigh significantly less, for example, only 110-120 lbs can choose even softer mattresses than we recommend for side/back/stomach sleepers.
If your weight is from 130 to 200 lbs
The number of options that work pretty well for people who belong to this group is overwhelming. Thats why the best strategy for them is to focus more on other important things besides firmness, for example, position, number of sleepers, overheating/no overheating, chronic back pain/no back pain, etc.
Medium mattresses are pretty good for them, mostly because they are pretty good for all, but still you can find a lot of great options in this category. If you understand that you need more support or more softness, you can also look through the super firm and super soft mattresses.
If you weigh more than 200+ lbs
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All About Mattress Firmness
When purchasing a mattress, one of the first steps is choosing a mattress firmness level that suits your needs. Mattress firmness can be confusing, however. What one person feels is luxuriously soft may feel uncomfortably firm to someone else. While mattress firmness is somewhat subjective and dependent on personal preference, it is important to choose a firmness level thats suited to your sleeping style and personal preference. Otherwise, youll suffer from more than interrupted sleep you could develop problems such as back pain.
In short, mattress firmness refers to how the mattress feels when you first lie down on it. Does it push back and feel stiff, or contour and cushion your body? Even though individual preference is subjective, there is a numerical mattress firmness scale to help you understand what to expect when you lay on a particular mattress. The scale runs from 1 to 10 and covers the three common mattress firmnesses: soft, medium, and firm.
In this guide, well discuss the mattress firmness scale, mattress firmness levels, and what firmness rating works best for different sleep preferences and body types.
To learn even more about what to look for in a mattress, check out our comprehensive Best Mattress guide.
Difference Between Plush And Firm Mattress
Categorized under Household Equipments | Difference Between Plush and Firm Mattress
The very first thing that comes to mind when youre looking to buy a new mattress is how comfortable youd want your mattress to be so that you feel totally comfortable sleeping on it. Of course youd want a trade-off between quality and cost. But at the same time, you dont want to compromise on the comfort factor as well. This begs the question whether youd want a plush mattress or a firm one? So if youre having a hard time holding a position when sleeping, its time to change your mattress. But the question is which one? We help you choose the best type of mattress for your need by pointing out the key differences between a plush and a firm mattress.
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How Heavy Are You
Your body weight plays a huge part in choosing the right mattress. Without considering this you are simply guessing as to which spring and tension you need. Retailers rarely ask this and will want to avoid getting into too much detail with you. They do this to keep the sale quick and simple. This often results in you ending up with a really unsuitable mattress and a nightmare trying to exchange it with them.
A light person will find an orthopaedic mattress rock hard, whereas a heavier person may find it just right. So what kind of mattress would be chosen for the heavier person who is asking for a firm mattress believing that this would be the only option for them?
This is where the expertise of the retailer should come into play.
We can help identify the correct spring tensions for you – no more guessing
Another thing to bear in mind is that mattress tension is also relative to the size of the mattress a single mattress will be firmer than a double mattress, a lot firmer than a king size and much firmer than a super king, and of course vice-versa. The bigger the span of the mattress the softer it will feel. So going out to buy a mattress bigger or smaller than the one you are looking to replace will have a direct influence on the mattress tension. This is where you may need specialist advice and we can help prevent you from guessing.
Benefits & Drawbacks Of Firm Mattresses
Firm mattresses have many benefits and support is chief among them. Firm mattresses are more supportive than soft mattresses and hold up the body, rather than letting it sink in too far. Lying on a firm mattress, most people will feel like they are sleeping on top of the mattress, and they should have no real issues moving around on the mattress.
This also makes firm mattresses cooler than soft mattresses. Lying more on top of the mattress, more of the body is exposed to the air that is moving around in the bedroom.
However, while firm mattresses offer great support, they arent the best when it comes to pressure relief. Side sleepers might feel some serious pressure on their shoulders and hips when they lie on a firm mattress. Also, while comfort is subjective, many people dont find firm mattresses to be as comfortable.
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How To Choose Between Soft And Firm When Sharing The Bed With A Partner
For many couples, choosing a mattress can be a nerve-wracking task.
Why?
Because often, two sleepers can have completely different comfort preferences .
For instance, there can be a side and a stomach sleeper, which means they need a softer and firmer sleeping surface. Finding a compromise can be difficult in a situation like this, and thats when a split mattress can save the day.
As the name suggests, a split mattress is divided into two smaller ones. This can give partnered sleepers a couple of options:
Firm Vs Medium Mattress
By Sanchita SenCertified Sleep Coach
Resting on a broken down mattress can force you to sleep in awkward positions that cause your muscles to remain tense. One night of unsupported rest could leave you with
Resting on a broken down mattress can force you to sleep in awkward positions that cause your muscles to remain tense. One night of unsupported rest could leave you with aches and pains that last throughout the following day. Plus, an old bed can cause frequent nighttime disruptions and lost hours of sleep. If you are in search of a good nights sleep, a mattress suited to your needs is essential.
With such a wide range of mattress types and firmness levels available, it can be difficult to determine which is right for you. Below, we break down the advantages and disadvantages of a firm and a medium mattress. We will show you how to use your body type and sleep position to determine the best mattress for you.
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How To Measure: Medium Vs Firm
The softest mattresses are often referred to as plush. When you see plush in a mattresss name or description, it means the mattress is on the soft side.
Medium, medium-firm, and firm mattresses are usually described as just that. You may also see terms like supportive or most supportive used to refer to mattresses that lean toward the firm and even-more-firm side of the spectrum. Casper blends comfort and support to create mattresses that are well-suited for the widest range of sleepers.
What does it all mean? One way to look at mattress firmness is by considering how much you settle into the mattress when you lie on it. With a softer mattress, youll feel as though your body sinks into it. A firmer mattress gives you the feeling of lying on top of it.
The Difference Between Plush Medium And Firm Mattresses
Your bed is the piece of furniture you probably use the most in your home. Hours are spent on it each and every night, not to mention any midday lounging time. If youre a student, your bed may be your prime studying spot, or if you work from home, it may even be your office. Being comfortable in bed is important, so you should consider all of the available options when youre buying a new mattress, which are typically replaced every five to seven years.
Mattress comforts are extremely subjective and a variety of terms will be used to describe the firmness level of a mattress. There isnt a universal list of specifications to determine which word should be used to describe the feel of a mattress. And, comfort levels will be impacted by the type of construction, components used, and manufacturer. This makes a lot of people wonder if a plush, medium, or firm mattress will be right for them.
To figure this out, there are a number of questions to ask yourself when deciding between plush vs. medium vs. firm mattresses.
- What is the difference between a plush and firm mattress?
- What is the difference between a medium and plush mattress?
- What is the difference between a firm and medium mattress?
- What position do you normally sleep in at night?
- Is your current mattress causing you pain?
- What mattress do you feel most comfortable on?
- What type of mattress is best for you?
This article answers some basic questions to help you decide which mattress best suits your needs.
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How To Shop For A Firm Mattress Online
Buying a firm mattress online is both convenient and cost-effective. With a range of options to choose from and the ability to shop from home at your own pace, finding a great mattress is easier than ever.
It might seem odd to buy a firm mattress without feeling it in-person first to actually know how firm it is. Because of this, online mattress companies provide generous return policies known as sleep trials. This lets you use the mattress for a set period of time, usually 100 nights or more, with hassle-free returns. The sleep trial allows you to try the mattress in your own home, which gives you a far better sense of whether it will work for you.
Because theres less overhead than with brick-and-mortar stores, its easy to find great deals for mattresses online. Mattress manufacturers frequently run promotions, and third-party sites, like SleepFoundation.org, often provide discounts or coupon codes to help you get the best price. Our sites buying guides and reviews can also be a handy resource for finding the mattress that best fits your needs and budget.
Shipping is almost always included in your purchase price, and some companies even include installation or offer it for an extra charge. Ordering is as easy as a few clicks, and payment with a credit card or methods like Paypal makes finalizing your order simple. Some retailers even offer financing programs as well.
What Does One Firmness Fits All Mean
One firmness fits all is a phrase used to describe the type of firmness which is going to suit the wide majority of sleepers. The truth is that about 80% of sleepers would prefer a bed which ranges between 5 and 7 on the firmness scale.
With this in mind, it would be appropriate to assume that 6 out of 10 is the metric that the majority of people would be looking forward to.
Some would argue that there is no such thing and that the one size fits all approach is particularly inappropriate in this regard. This might actually be true, but the wide majority of people truly prefer a medium feel brought by their mattress.
There are a few different examples on the market which would target this particular firmness level only to accommodate the ever so growing market.
However, we strongly suggest that you check the bed first and make sure that it is integral and reliable. The firmness is undoubtedly a critical characteristic, but there are other important considerations that youd have to account for.
While people tie firmness with support immediately, there are different types of beds. Those who use lower-quality materials, for instance, might be firm and yet fail to deliver the necessary support. Thats definitely something that you ought to consider when youre making the decision.
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Its The Perfect Balance Between Comfort And Back Support
Youve probably heard about how firm mattresses are great for your back, and that soft mattresses are more comfortable in general. While his is true, you need to bear in mind that there is a happy medium.
After all, sleeping on a very firm mattress might be great for your back but if you feel like youre sleeping on the floor, youre not going to get very comfortable sleep.
And this is true on the other side too. If your mattress is amazingly soft and comfortable, but offers few to no support for your back, you might end up with back problems.
So, what you need is the golden mean. Medium firm mattress offer the right balance between comfort and back support.
