The comfort and support both a soft-sider and a hard-sider give is similar; it is in the appearance and the ease of use where the main difference lies.

The hard-sided frame beds give style and substance to a bedroom and can blend in well with the existing decor. They can range from a simple yet functional 'box' construction, through many more stylish & ornate models, on to chunkier, beautiful and classic pine beds, via frames upholstered to match your decor, and all the way up to the more exotic leather, circular and four poster treats!
 

The main difference is that a soft-sided bed uses a foam edge to support the water within. These are light enough to give easily when a person gets out of bed, but dense enough to last the lifetime of the bed. The top cover of the waterbed is removable, and is zipped on. This feature is one of the waterbed's nicest points, because it provides a hygienic sleeping environment. It's also wonderful for asthma sufferers, as it eliminates the breeding ground for the house dust mite, whose excreta is frequently the trigger for asthma attacks.
 

The trend in the waterbed industry is increasingly towards soft-siders, and at Swanse Waterbeds, we nearly always recommend them to anyone with any form of back problem.  Although a hard-sided water bed will help back problems in exactly the same way as a soft-sider, getting in and out can undo all the good created by a night's sleep. When people come in to try out our beds, they lie on just one bed, and say, 'I didn't think it would feel like this!'  Words can't describe just how comfortable they are, or how much they ease back pain and asthma, so come in and try one.