When shopping for a new mattress, one of the first things to consider is what kind of mattress you want, plush or firm? Your age, weight, sleeping position, and any history of back, neck or joint pain are factors you need to think about when deciding what is best for you. Plus, we all have our preferences for what we like.
At Ecosa, we wanted to understand our audience and customers better, so we sent out a survey to find out once and for all, what do people like better? Plush or firm mattresses?
What Was the Result?
Firm mattresses were the winner, with 65.1% of respondents saying they prefer a firm mattress and 34.9% saying they like plush or soft mattresses.
Firm was the clear favourite for most age groups, but those aged between 55-64 loved it the most, with 80% of respondents liking firm mattresses and only 20% preferring plush.
What’s So Good about Firm Mattresses?
There are a range of benefits from sleeping on a firmer mattress, including:
- Great for back and front sleepers, as they get a stable and even surface for better support.
- Zero sagging and even weight distribution
- Great for couples as the added weight can contribute to further sagging on softer mattresses
- Proper spine alignment
- Improves sleep quality by allowing you to relax and get a deep sleep
Who Loves Plush Mattresses?
Our survey results told us that out of all age groups, 18-24 year olds are more likely to prefer plush mattresses. In saying that, the results are pretty even, with 50.5% of 18-24 year olds choosing plush and 49.5% saying they prefer firm mattresses.
Many 18-24 year olds are moving out of their parents home and start living with housemates or partners and purchasing a mattress on their own for the first time. I don’t know about you, but my first time in a mattress store was an eye-opener. With so many options, how do you know what you want, let alone what is best for you?
Common mattress assumptions are needing something soft and comfortable for great sleep. The issue with soft mattresses is that they don’t always provide the support your body needs, plus they are more likely to sag over the years.
Plush vs Firm
There’s some common misconceptions about firm mattresses, that they are rock hard, rigid and uncomfortable to sleep on. This is far from the truth with modern mattresses that are designed to be comfortable and supportive, even when firm.
There are five common mattress firmnesses; soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-firm, and firm. If the firm option sounds like it might be a bit tough on the body, you can look for medium options which provide that blend of support and softness.
Mattress toppers are also an excellent option for those who love a super soft and plush feel but still want the support of a medium or firm mattress.
Is It Time for a New Mattress?
If you’re in the market for a new mattress, especially if it’s your first time buying one, listen up. Can you trial your mattress? A flexible returns policy is also essential, so you’re not stuck with an expensive mattress that you don’t love or isn’t exactly what you need.
Still struggling to choose between plush and firm mattresses and can’t make up your mind, not knowing which one is right for you, why not visit a physical store or showroom and try them out? At least you won’t end up purchasing a mattress that doesn’t suit you at all.