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One key feature to keep in mind when mattress shopping is firmness, and for some, a soft mattress may be the ideal choice. Soft mattresses are more plush and provide a “sinking feeling” many sleepers prefer. These mattresses also contour closer to the body, providing pressure relief for areas like the hips and shoulders. Soft mattresses can maintain spinal alignment for side sleepers by cradling the body at these key pressure points.
People who weigh less may also prefer a softer mattress, as their bodies won’t sink in the “proper amount” in a firmer mattress. A softer surface ensures they get the cushioning they need to sleep well. Individuals dealing with chronic pain conditions such as arthritis may benefit from the gentler support that a soft mattress can provide.
While many people might imagine a soft mattress as something they can “sink” into, everyone needs a balance between support and firmness. The best mattress for you depends on different factors, like sleep position, body weight, and whether you experience joint pain.
On the other hand, a soft mattress is not suitable for everyone. Back and stomach sleepers, especially those who weigh more, may find that a soft mattress doesn’t provide enough support or keep their spine aligned. This misalignment can lead to discomfort or even more pain over time.
The best soft mattress for one person may not work for another. With this in mind, we’ve thoroughly tested a variety of soft mattresses currently available, so you can see if one is right for you.
When looking for a soft mattress, check for the right firmness level, support system, pressure relief capabilities, and functional support. You may also want to consider cooling, especially if you like soft beds with thick layers of memory foam.
The industry standard is 6.5 out of 10 for a “true medium.” We’ve included a range of mattresses with firmness levels softer than 6.5. This ensures your bed will have enough support and durability to keep you comfortable for a long time.
Most soft mattresses offer pressure relief away from prominent joints (like the hip and shoulder) or sore areas. Poor support can create pressure points, even in soft beds. It isn’t safe to assume that a conforming bed will distribute force away from your joints, particularly if you’re not properly supported.
Supportive mattresses contour the spine’s curves and reinforce a neutral body position for a more comfortable sleep. Soft mattresses don’t always have a robust support system because they’re designed to allow your body to sink, which isn’t best for everyone.
Soft mattresses may feel forgiving, allowing you to sink into the material. This cloud-like feel might be comfortable, but it could make it difficult to move around. If mobility issues affect how you switch positions or get out of bed, we encourage finding a mattress that balances plushness with responsiveness to avoid feeling stuck.
Cooling capabilities are an important consideration, although we didn’t make a high cooling score a criterion for this review. Soft beds, especially made from foam, are known for sleeping hot. But bed sheets often influence cooling performance.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a pressure-relieving hybridⓘ Hybrid mattresses combine the features of both innerspring and foam mattresses, with springs surrounded by a thick comfort layer of foam or latex mattress designed with a soft pillow top to provide a contouring, “sinking in” feeling. The brand rated this mattress as medium firm, but we think it’s more medium-soft (5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale). For reference, the industry standard for a true medium firm is 6.5 out of 10. Medium-soft mattresses have a better balance of reinforcement and sinkage to accommodate a variety of sleep positions and body types, according to our research and testing. But like many soft mattresses, the Helix Midnight Luxe may not be supportive enough for most higher-weight sleepers.
We also like how the Helix Midnight Luxe offers good airflow through its thick coils, helping keep the surface cool and earning it a five out of five score in cooling during our testing. Soft mattresses, particularly designs made mostly with foam, are known for trapping heat as a person sinks into the material, so we were impressed with this mattress’s cooling capabilities.
This mattress is also our top pick because it’s the softest mattress we’ve tested with a high functional supportⓘ NCOA’s rating of suitability for older adults who may have limited mobility. Calculated using firmness level (30%), overall support score (30%), edge support score (30%), and bounce score (10%) score. Although its top layer is forgiving, it has enough bounce to boost mobility, allowing people to change positions and get out of bed easily. This is an important consideration for older adults with mobility issues (like arthritis or general weakness), especially if you’re looking for a cushioned bed without feeling “stuck” in the material. Unfortunately, the same coils that support movement also cause more motion to transfer to the other side, which could disturb a sleep partner.
“My first impression of the Helix Midnight Luxe was how soft the cover felt. As I ran my hand across the surface, I could feel how the quilted top had foam directly underneath it. When I push down, the springs pop up quickly, but the foam takes its time to reshape. It just looked so plush and inviting.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Helix Midnight Luxe has a 4.4-star rating out of five and more than 6,500 reviews on its website. Several reviewers pointed out how well this mattress cradles pressure points, especially around the hips.
“I love my Helix Midnight Luxe mattress. I have bursitis on my left hip that kept waking me up at night. I read that this is a great mattress if you suffer from hip/back pain. Ever since I bought it I sleep through the night because I’m no longer awaken from the pain. I couldn’t believe a mattress change would take care of the problem.” Candy G., verified buyer on 9/12/24.
“At first I thought I hated it because I could feel my partner moving a lot, but now that we’ve broken it in, it’s leveled off and I LOVE it. So comfy, not too much motion transfer, great support. My partner’s lower back pain has disappeared.” Christine K, verified buyer on 9/12/24.
For more information, see our Helix mattress review.
The Nectar Premier is a memory foam mattress with three layers of foam, a shift-resistant lower cover, and a cover that uses phase change materialⓘ A material that stores or releases heat to maintain a constant temperature to keep you cool as you sleep. Our testing revealed that the foam and cooling material work well together for couples who want to limit motion transfer and body heat buildup.
“While I was lying in bed, my testing partner switched positions next to me, and I could barely feel a thing. If I was sleeping, there’s no way I would’ve noticed her move.”
Our Reviews Team rated the Nectar Premier as medium-soft (5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale), which is softer than the brand’s rating of 6.5 out of 10. Its firmness rating is similar to Helix, but switching positions may be more difficult because of its all-foam design. If you have mobility issues, you may feel stuck in this material since it’s designed to deeply hug the body.
Despite how forgiving this mattress felt, our testers said it had a decent amount of support for various sleep positions and body types. Its edge support was also better than expected for a softer bed, allowing us to shift about an inch from the edge before feeling like momentum would roll us off. Good edge support gives each partner more real estate on a mattress, allowing you to spread out. If you want more space, you can catch one of the brand’s promotions, which drops the price of a king and California king-size Nectar Premier to about $1,000.
Sagging is a concern with most all-foam beds. Luckily, Nectar offers a generous one-year trial period. Higher-weight couples looking for a softer mattress may need more support, so we recommend the Titan Plus Luxe instead.
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Nectar Premier has a 4.5-star rating out of five, with more than 6,000 reviews on its website. Several reviewers claimed this mattress was very comfortable and supportive.
“First time for a foam mattress and was pleasantly surprised firm but very comfortable. Very glad I purchased the mattress and the adjustable base. I absolutely love the massage feature really helps me relax and fall asleep.” Karen F., verified buyer on 9/13/24.
“This is the best mattress Ive ever had! So so comfortable, Ive honestly never slept better. Highly recommend.” Rebekah W., verified buyer on 9/12/24.
Learn more about the brand in our Nectar review.
The Saatva Solaire rivals Sleep Number as a luxurious mattress with adjustable firmness. Although it’s an investment, it offers a convenient way to adjust your mattress’s firmness depending on your preference. It also pairs well with an adjustable bed to fully customize your sleep experience.
This mattress could be a great choice for combination sleepersⓘ People who sleep in more than one position throughout the night and those with mobility issues who benefit from a soft surface for comfortable sleep and a firm surface when it’s time to get up. With a queen (or larger), you can customize the firmness level on either side, which is great for couples with different preferences.
Our testers were impressed that the mattress provided a good amount of surface and edge support through its 50 different firmness settings. According to our team’s ratings, the firmness settings range from medium-soft to firm (5.5 to seven out of 10 on the firmness scale). We also enjoyed the plush Euro topⓘ A style of pillow top that provides an added layer of plush; the extra layer of padding is stitched beneath the mattress cover, so it’s flush with the edges of the mattress without adding extra height for added pressure relief—a luxurious feature many Saatva mattresses offer (like the Saatva Classic in our Saatva review). Unfortunately, most stomach sleepers will likely need a more solid surface to prevent their hips from dipping into the material and moving their spine out of alignment.
“One thing this mattress excels at is contouring. It feels incredibly plush and cushioning at the Euro top level. It definitely cradles around my hip and shoulder. I really like it for back and side sleeping.”
We were also impressed that changing positions and getting out of bed was easy across all firmness levels, even the softer ones. Despite offering a lot of pressure relief, testers said the mattress felt responsiveⓘ How much surface bounce a mattress has and how it responds to pressure or the sleeper’s movements, making it easier to move around and change sleeping positions , which prevented our bodies from sinking too far into the plush surface with movement. “Level 20 definitely feels softer than level 40 and perhaps a little more difficult to change positions,” said one tester. “But both are relatively easy to move around on. I’m not fighting the material, although the soft pillow top adds the slightest resistance.”
Air adjustable mattresses have electrical and mechanical components, so you shouldn’t be expected to set it up alone. Saatva is the only brand we know that offers free white-glove delivery for all its mattresses and adjustable beds so you don’t have to worry about coordinating help.
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Saatva Solaire has a 4.7-star rating out of five, with more than 100 reviews on its website. Many verified buyers felt that the extra cost of the Saatva was worth it, especially those with back pain.
“I have struggled with back pain for years. The mattress is firm without being rigid and sharp. The quality is wonderful. I enjoy the massage after a long day and it helps me to relax and go to sleep more easily than any previous mattress. It was an expensive investment but well worth the price, thus far.” Carolyn C., verified buyer on 6/11/22.
“I just received my Saatva Solaire mattress and I am speechless! There are 2 remotes (at least for the king size) which allow both people to set their own respective firmness preference / level for each side of the bed. I imagine this is what it feels like to sleep on a cloud(?) I only wish I had added the adjustable base!” Ruby B., verified buyer on 7/16/21.
To learn more about this mattress, read our in-depth Saatva Solaire review.
We like the “softer” version of The WinkBed mattress because it offers a plusher, contouring feel balanced with targeted support along the center of the mattress. While lying on their side, our testers felt the bed hug their shoulders and hips while supporting their midsection, encouraging a comfortable neutral spine without dipping or sagging. Some research suggests that zoned support encourages better sleep quality and can positively impact back pain. Check out our review of the best mattresses for back problems to read more about mattresses that might help.
Side sleepers who change sides throughout the night may appreciate how this bed provides a slight mobility boost despite its plush feel. You should be able to switch sides without struggling to lift yourself out of the soft material. We were also impressed by how well this hybrid isolates motion, with our testers rating it a five out of five. If you or your partner likes to switch sides, the motion shouldn’t ripple across to the other side and disturb them.
Our testers rated the softer WinkBed five out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it the softest mattress in our review. Although higher-weight sleepers typically benefit from a firmer bed, we think The WinkBed has a strong enough support system to benefit side sleepers of any body type. But if you’re a higher-weight combination sleeper who often sleeps on their back, you may want to go with the luxury firm option or the plus. We’ve found these options better accommodate higher-weight sleepers in various sleep positions.
If you’re not sure which option to choose, consider taking advantage of the WinkBeds exchange policy. If you’re not happy with your choice, WinkBeds will send you another firmness option for $49. You get the chance to try both at home for up to 60 days, then return the one you like the least.
“As a lower-weight back and side sleeper, I loved this mattress! It felt cool, even with two people on the bed. And when my testing partner changed positions next to me, I barely felt a thing, which is remarkable for a bed with springs. It also had great edge support, which we didn’t expect since the mattress is so plush. I felt really stable side lying by the edge.”
For more options, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers. To read more about this brand, check out our WinkBeds review.
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The WinkBed has a 4.8-star rating out of five, with more than 8,500 reviews on its website.
“Fantastic mattress. It’s soft, but supportive. I have no issues sleeping in any position (usually side or back). If a bed is too hard my hips often hurt, but not with this bed. My kids have slept in the bed with me and my son says it’s the most comfortable bed. My boyfriend also thinks this is the perfect mattress (frequent stomach sleeper). He says he gets such fulfilling sleep with this mattress and is obsessed with it. Everyone who sleeps on this mattress loves it and sleeps great.”- Jennifer S., verified buyer on 7/7/24.
“We have had our WinkBed for almost 3 months & our 2 beds have been slept on by 11 different people at our summer cabin: everyone loves them! Have waited to do a review until we have had range of experience and different types of sleepers. Not a single complaint or concern! Had great support from WinkBed in coordinating order and shipping. Would highly recommend this bed – and would order from Winkbed again!” – Ingrid S., verified buyer on 8/8/24.
To learn more, check out our full WinkBed review.
The medium model of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a quality mattress for a lower cost and scored well across most of our testing criteria. This includes providing a good balance of pressure relief and support, which encourages a neutral spine in most positions and resists sagging over time.
Although the brand rates this mattress as medium, it’s on the softer side of medium, with a five out of 10 firmness rating. Our team agreed it’s softer, but we rated it six out of 10 instead because we found it a little firmer.
Although it’s one of the firmer picks in this review, it’s also one of the most well-rounded to accommodate different body types and sleeping positions. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid should better support most higher-weight sleepers than other softer beds. We think all back and side sleepers of any body type should enjoy this option. But higher-weight stomach sleepers may perceive this mattress as too soft and unsupportive across the midsection.
“I like how this mattress feels cushioned on top with firmer springs underneath. It lets me sink into the top layer as I settle in. It also cradles my body, so it feels really nice. The only downside is that it feels like it heats up around me (and it did by about 10 degrees after five minutes), so I’ll need to invest in cooling bed sheets to prevent sweating.”
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress has a 4.7-star rating out of five, with over 10,000 reviews on its website. Many reviewers discussed how comfortable and soft this mattress is.
“Super comfortable although I feel like I’m going to be thrown off the bed when sleeping on the edge. I’m a combo sleeper and from day 1, I never had soreness in my back and shoulders.” Julieanne C., verified buyer on 9/14/24.
“I love my new bed! For me it has the Goldilocks feel, just right. As I’d only read information and reviews about this mattress I hoped it lived up to the hype. It did. I love the height and the pillow top and have slept without any aches in my shoulders or hips.” Kathy H., verified buyer on 9/07/24.
Read more about the brand’s mattress options in our Brooklyn Bedding review.
Our Reviews Team has dedicated more than 1,000 hours to researching the mattress industry, consulting at least 10 health care professionals, and testing roughly 40 brands and 130 unique mattress models for quality and comfort. We’ve also interviewed 16 older adults who recently purchased a mattress and surveyed more than 3,200 recent mattress customers to understand their experiences shopping for a new bed.
Each mattress undergoes a rigorous 36-page testing procedure to score its different characteristics, including firmness, support, and other aspects most shoppers consider. We choose the best soft mattresses based on the scores of the relevant criteria, including firmness level, support, pressure relief, and functional support. We also discuss cooling capabilities throughout this review because softer mattresses are known to trap heat at night, especially if they’re designed with thick foam layers.
To learn more about our testing and scoring methods, review our sleep methodology.
We used a pressure mapping system to measure how well a mattress distributes weight and relieves pressure points on the body, especially around the hips. We also test sinkage, another key factor in comfort, using a 10-pound ball. This test helps us determine the level of softness and how well the mattress conforms to the body. Testers also lay in various positions to determine how well the mattress supports the spine, which plays a role in discomfort.
Soft mattresses are known for being hot due to their close conformity to the body. Therefore, we tested the temperature regulation of each mattress. Our testers lay side-by-side for five minutes to check how well the mattress’s surface dissipates body heat. For accurate readings, we used a temperature gun to measure the difference in temperature before and after use.
A soft mattress loses its helpfulness if it starts sagging a few weeks after use. To test material quality, we examined the mattress’s interior. By cracking open each mattress, we can accurately check foam density, coil count, and overall construction.
Soft mattresses can have poor edge support due to their tendency to conform to weight. Mattresses with poor edge support can be dangerous, as falling off of them is easier. To test this, we sat on each mattress’s edge and measured the amount of sinkage to determine its edge support. This is important for getting in and out of bed and preventing falls.
Our research and testing are ongoing, so our reviews evolve over time. We test new mattresses monthly to give you the most up-to-date information possible. Check back regularly for updates.
When you’re looking for a soft mattress, check for the right firmness level, support system, pressure relief capabilities, and functional support. You may also want to consider cooling, especially if you like soft beds with thick layers of memory foam.
The industry standard is 6.5 out of 10 for a “true medium.” We’ve included a range of mattresses with firmness levels softer than 6.5. Our rating system considers a truly soft mattress a four out of 10 or below, but these are rare to find and often aren’t recommended. When you choose the best soft mattress, consider beds in the five to six range. This ensures your bed will have enough support and durability to keep you comfortable for a long time.
Many beds in this review are too soft for higher-weight sleepers. According to our survey of 500 higher-weight people who recently purchased a mattress, about 65% looked specifically for a bed designed for higher-weight sleepers. If you’re a higher-weight sleeper looking for a new bed, we encourage you to browse our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Supportive mattresses contour the spine’s curves and reinforce a neutral body position for a more comfortable sleep. Soft mattresses don’t always have a robust support system because they’re designed to allow your body to sink, which isn’t best for everyone. When we chose our list of the best soft mattresses, we chose ones that scored well in support to prevent sagging during the night (and permanent sagging over time). If you’re shopping around and trying mattresses in person, make sure your body feels neutral without any dips.
“Soft mattresses may lack the support needed to keep the spine and pelvis in a neutral position. If the mattress doesn’t fully support the person, they may sink too far in certain areas. This can lead to back and hip pain.” — Kevin Lees, director of chiropractic operations at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Arizona
Most soft mattresses offer plenty of pressure relief away from prominent joints (like the hip and shoulder) or sore areas. But as Lees mentioned above, poor support can create pressure points, even in soft beds. It isn’t safe to assume that a conforming bed will distribute force away from your joints, particularly if you’re not properly supported. We encourage you to find a good balance between support and pressure relief to avoid this issue.
Soft mattresses may feel forgiving, allowing you to sink into the material. This cloud-like feel might be comfortable, but it could make it difficult to move around. If mobility issues affect how you switch positions or get out of bed, we encourage finding a mattress that balances plushness with responsiveness to avoid feeling stuck. In our review, these beds tend to be hybrids with soft foam on top and firmer coils underneath.
Cooling capabilities are important, although we didn’t make a high cooling score a criterion for this review. Soft beds, especially made from foam, are known for sleeping hot. But bed sheets often influence cooling performance. If you’re a hot sleeper looking for a soft bed, we recommend a hybrid mattress that allows airflow through the coils. We also recommend pairing your bed with cooling sheets. In our experience, sheets made with bamboo or Tencel regulate temperature well.
The type of mattress you choose can influence how soft it will feel. Some mattress materials tend to be softer than others. Below are the different types of mattresses and how soft they can get, according to our testing data.
| Cost (queen) | $2,374 | $1,049–$2,398 | $3,821 | $1,799 | $665–$1,664 |
| Mattress type | Hybrid | Memory foam | Adjustable | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Our firmness rating | 5.5/10 | Medium-soft | 5.5–7/10 | 5/10 | Medium-soft |
| Trial period | 100 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Warranty | 15 years | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime | 10 years |
| White-glove delivery* | Yes | Yes, for an additional fee of $199 | Yes | No | No |
*Free delivery and setup of new mattress and removal of old mattress
When searching for the best soft mattress, consider firmness, support, pressure relief, and functional support. Our top recommendation, the Helix Midnight Luxe, offers a medium-soft feel with the right balance of cushion and support to prevent sag and promote comfort. If you want a soft option to best accommodate you and a partner, we recommend the Nectar Premier, Saatva Solaire, or The WinkBed. And if you need a budget option, look into the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.
If you didn’t find what you’re looking for in our review, we hope it gave you the tools you need to select your next bed. Don’t forget to check out our other roundups for more options.
Based on our testing, soft mattresses are best for side sleepers because they support the spine and hips while cushioning the shoulders. Lighter-weight (less than 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) back sleepers may also like a soft mattress, but higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) back and side sleepers may want to opt for a firmer mattress.
Soft mattresses are generally not recommended for stomach sleepers of any weight because they do not provide enough lower back support.
Euro top mattresses often have a cloud-like feel that lifts and contours the body. In our review, the Saatva Solaire and The WinkBed have the most weightless feel due to their Euro tops.
In general, memory foam mattresses feel softer than hybrid mattresses with metal coils, but many soft-feeling hybrid mattresses offer a plush feel without compromising support. You can increase the soft feel of your mattress by choosing a model with a quilted pillow top.
Soft and plush are interchangeable terms for mattresses that conform to the body. When you lie on a soft or plush mattress, you may feel like your body is sinking into it. Soft or plush mattresses are particularly beneficial for side sleepers because they support the back and hips while cushioning the shoulders.
Have questions about this article? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
