By Edward Busse, Sleep Expert and Co-Owner, Canadian Mattress
In my 18 years in the mattress industry—12 as a manufacturing rep for SSB Bedding and Kingsdown, and 6 in retail—I've watched the quality of "plush" mattresses decline dramatically. What most customers don't realize is that today's soft mattresses aren't built like they used to be.
As someone who's seen both sides of this industry, I'm going to share some uncomfortable truths about plush mattresses that most retailers won't tell you.
The Great Foam Density Deception
Here's something that will shock most consumers: the foam inside many popular mattress brands today is significantly lower quality than what we used just 10 years ago.
During my manufacturing rep days, 1.8 pounds per cubic foot was the industry standard for foam density. Think of it like pound cake—dense, substantial, built to last. Today, I regularly see manufacturers using foam as low as 1.4 pounds density while marketing it as "high density" or giving it fancy names like "Eco-Tex foam."
Why This Matters for Plush Mattresses
The lower the foam density, the faster it breaks down. It's like comparing pound cake to angel food cake—one has substance, the other is mostly air. In plush mattresses, where you're already dealing with softer materials, low-density foam spells disaster.
The trend I've observed: Private equity firms have bought many mattress manufacturers over the past decade. Their first move? Cut material costs by reducing foam density. The result? Mattresses that feel decent initially but develop permanent impressions and lose support within 2-3 years.
Brands That Maintain Standards
Not everyone has compromised on quality. Marshall and Aireloom maintain strict 2-pound minimum foam density standards. Their beds cost more upfront, but they don't cut corners. After seeing thousands of warranty claims in my retail years, I can tell you these brands consistently outlast their cheaper competitors.
The Specialty Foam Advantage
Memory foam and latex naturally sit at much higher densities than standard polyurethane foam. This is why quality plush mattresses incorporating these materials last significantly longer—and cost more.
-
Memory foam: Typically 3–5 pounds per cubic foot
-
Latex foam: Usually 3–6 pounds per cubic foot
-
Quality poly foam base: Should be minimum 1.8 pounds per cubic foot
When I see a plush mattress with multiple inches of memory foam or latex over a high-density base, I know it's built to last. When I see 6 inches of low-density "comfort foam" over a cheap base, I warn customers away.
Who Actually Needs a Plush Mattress?
The Success Stories:
-
Petite Side Sleepers: Women under 130 pounds who sleep primarily on their side often need immediate pressure relief that only plush surfaces provide. Medium-firm mattresses don't compress enough for their lighter body weight.
-
Chronic Pain Sufferers: Customers with fibromyalgia or severe arthritis sometimes find genuine relief with quality plush mattresses. The key word is "quality"—cheap soft mattresses make pain worse.
-
Elderly Sleepers: As we age, our bodies often need more pressure point relief. However, this group also needs careful spine support, so not all plush mattresses work.
The Disasters I've Prevented:
-
Heavy Side Sleepers: Anyone over 180 pounds asking for a soft mattress usually gets steered toward medium-firm by me. I've seen too many warranty claims from back pain caused by spine misalignment.
-
Hot Sleepers: Low-density foam in plush mattresses traps heat terribly. I've had customers return mattresses within days because they were waking up sweating.
-
Restless Sleepers: If you change positions frequently, soft surfaces make movement difficult. You'll feel trapped and work harder to shift positions.
The Showroom vs. Reality Problem
Here's an industry secret: soft mattresses are designed to feel amazing for the first 10 minutes you lie down. The sinking sensation triggers immediate comfort responses. But comfort in a showroom doesn't predict long-term sleep quality.
During my rep years, I learned that the highest customer satisfaction scores came from medium-firm mattresses, even though soft ones got the most initial "wow" reactions in stores.
Red Flags in Plush Mattress Shopping
Construction Red Flags:
-
All one foam density (no support differentiation)
-
Foam under 1.8 pounds density (will break down quickly)
-
No edge reinforcement (creates a sinking bowl effect)
-
Memory foam without cooling technology (heat retention nightmare)
Marketing Red Flags:
-
"Hotel luxury feel" (hotels replace mattresses every 3–5 years)
-
Emphasis on "cloud-like softness" (usually means poor support)
-
Foam described only as "high-quality" (no density specifications)
The Canadian Climate Reality
Working in Alberta markets has taught me that our climate affects mattress performance differently than in warmer, more humid regions:
-
Cold Weather Impact: Foam becomes firmer in cold bedrooms. A plush mattress that feels perfect in September might feel too firm by January if your bedroom temperature drops.
-
Dry Air Advantage: Our low humidity actually helps with heat retention issues in memory foam. Plush mattresses with quality memory foam perform better here than in humid climates.
My Honest Assessment Process
When customers ask about plush mattresses, I use a different approach than most retailers:
-
"Why do you think you need a soft mattress?"
Often, the answer reveals they don't actually need softness—they need better pressure relief or their current mattress is just worn out. -
"What happens when you sleep on soft hotel beds?"
If they mention waking up stiff or sore, they're not plush mattress candidates. -
"How do you sleep when camping or on firm surfaces?"
Sometimes people sleep better on firmer surfaces but assume they need softness because it feels luxurious.
The Economics of Quality Plush
Quality plush mattresses cost significantly more to manufacture than firm ones. The materials required—multiple foam densities, specialized comfort layers, cooling technologies—add substantial expense.
Budget plush mattresses are almost always a bad investment. The foam will compress, the comfort will disappear, and you'll need replacement within 3–4 years instead of the 8–10 years a quality mattress should last.
From my manufacturing background, I know the material cost difference between a quality plush and a cheap one can be $200–300 per mattress. Retailers selling "soft mattresses" for under $800 are using materials I wouldn't put in a guest bedroom.
When I Talk Customers Out of Plush
Despite the potential for higher profits on premium plush mattresses, I regularly steer customers toward different options:
-
The Couple's Dilemma: When partners have different firmness preferences, a plush mattress rarely satisfies both. I usually recommend medium-firm with a plush topper for one side.
-
The "My Old Mattress Was Too Firm" Assumption: Often the problem wasn't firmness—it was age. A 10-year-old firm mattress has lost significant support and feels nothing like a new firm mattress.
-
The Back Pain Solution Seekers: Customers assuming soft equals pain relief are usually wrong. Most back pain comes from poor support, which plush surfaces can worsen.
Final Industry Insight
After 18 years on both sides of this business, here's what I know: the best plush mattresses are built by companies that haven't compromised on materials to hit price points. They use proper foam densities, invest in quality comfort layers, and design for long-term durability.
The worst are made by companies focused on quarterly profits rather than customer satisfaction. They feel great initially but become expensive mistakes within a few years.
If you're considering a plush mattress, focus on construction quality and material specifications rather than initial comfort. Your future sleep quality depends on it.
Author Bio
Edward Busse brings 18 years of sleep industry experience to Canadian Mattress, including 12 years as a manufacturing representative for SSB Bedding and Kingsdown. His insider knowledge of manufacturing processes and material quality helps customers make informed decisions about their sleep investments.