When you think of the best soft mattress, you might imagine something that lets you sink in and melt the worries of the day away. Plush, doughy beds are also an excellent choice for side sleepers, plus anyone who needs extra cushioning for sensitive joints or body pain. If you fall into any of these categories, or are just looking for a truly soft mattress for comfort reasons, you’ll want to stick around for our list of favorites.
Below, I’ll dive deep into which beds I recommend for certain types of sleepers based on what stood out in our testing, as well as who should keep shopping for a better option. All of these beds are considered soft, so I’m sure you’ll find something to match your unique preferences.
Clarity’s Clear Winner
According to our findings, the best soft mattress is the Helix Sunset because it provides a comfortable sleep surface that cushions joints and alleviates pressure along the body. In our performance testing, this hybrid mattress scored exceptionally well in pressure relief for both side and back sleeping. It also earned admirable results in our motion isolation and responsiveness tests, a sign of a truly well-rounded mattress that should appeal to a wide range of shoppers who want a soft bed.
The Best Soft Mattresses
- Helix Sunset Mattress – Best Soft Mattress Overall
- Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid – Best Soft Hybrid Mattress
- Nectar Premier Mattress – Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress
- DreamCloud Premier Mattress – Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers
- WinkBed Mattress – Best Soft Mattress for Back Pain
- Silk & Snow Hybrid Mattress – Best Affordable Soft Mattress
- Saatva Rx Mattress – Best Soft Mattress for Joint Pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Hot Sleepers
- Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress – Best Luxury Soft Mattress
Top Deals
- Helix Sunset Mattress – 20% Off Sitewide with Code MARCH20
- Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid – 20% Off Select Mattresses; Up to 25% Off Adjustable Base and Mattress Bundle
- Nectar Premier Mattress – Save Up to 50% on Mattresses & 66% on Bundles
- DreamCloud Premier Mattress – Up to 60% Off Mattresses + 66% Off Bundles
- WinkBed Mattress – 30% Off All Mattresses
How We Tested and Selected the Mattresses
Firmness refers to how a mattress feels. Our firmness scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. We consider anything lower than 6.5/10 to be on the softer end, so we prioritized showcasing beds that fall under this rating.
Brands listed here either specifically produce and market softer mattresses or offer multiple firmness options. Our team mostly tests the middle-ground mattress models, which often have a medium feel. So, if you see a higher firmness score on our list, I’ll recommend the bed’s softest model to satisfy cravings for plushness.
Softer surfaces often go hand in hand with good pressure relief, since they allow you to sink in and cradle parts of your body that could otherwise dig uncomfortably into the mattress. A softer mattress with solid pressure relief can be great for alleviating tension in key areas such as the lower back, hips, and shoulders.
To test pressure relief, we use a pressure map that shows where pressure tends to build up in certain sleeping positions. If a bed’s PSI falls below the average (15 for back sleepers and 12 for side sleepers), that mattress causes less pressure buildup. We aimed to include beds that earned at least a 4/5 for overall pressure relief, or at the very least, a 4/5 for a certain sleeping position. We also consulted physical therapist Dr. Hannah Habeeb for her insight on each bed from an orthopedic standpoint.
It’s not enough for a bed to just be soft. You want it to keep you supported, too; otherwise, you’ll just sink right into your mattress and possibly end up in discomfort or pain. That’s why our team looked for beds that have a good balance between pressure relief and support.
While we don’t have a specific support score, we do test beds in every sleeping position to ensure they help you maintain proper alignment. This means a mattress helps keep your spine in its natural S-curve posture, rather than awkwardly leaving parts of the body too high or too low. Some mattresses are more supportive for certain sleeping positions or body types, which we’re always sure to mention.
Our team of certified sleep science coaches selected the best soft beds by looking for top performers in the categories above: feel, pressure relief, and support.
But our full process involves testing several aspects of a bed’s performance, including cooling, motion isolation, and more. We evaluate and score these factors using specialized technology and firsthand accounts from testers with different body types about how a bed feels.
Once we have all those scores, we calculate the bed’s overall score using a weighted formula. This overall score is a good indicator of a mattress’s general quality, and is always a number out of 5.
As we decide which mattresses to feature on any roundup, we only include beds with an overall score of 3.5 out of 5 or higher. Even if a mattress does certain things well, we won’t point you towards it if it falls below this baseline.
Learn more about how we test mattresses at Mattress Clarity.
500+ mattresses tested in person
30+ data points collected for each bed
Certified Sleep Science Coaches on staff
Expert input from our Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta (MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM) and our Chief Medical Product Tester Dr. Hannah Habeeb (DPT)
43,000+ readers who bought a new bed based on our recommendations
Learn more about Mattress Clarity.
Key Mattress Highlights
- Ultra-plush pressure rlief
- Soft and cloud-like feel
- Easy to move around in
- Noticeably cool-to-the-touch cover
- Gel-infused foam layers help to dissipate heat
- Balance of comfort and responsiveness
- Motion-absorbing memory foam
- Extra pressure relief with additional memory foam
- Both supportive and plush
- Reinforced edge support system
- 14-inch luxury hybrid profile
- Breathable cashmere-blend cover
- Sturdy edges that don’t sag
- Breathable cover that stays cool and dry
- Extra support for your lower back
- Extra bounce for easy movement
- Reinforced “foam wall” edge support
- High-Density 4lb Memory Foam Layer
- Designed for pressure relief
- Balanced feel with both plushness and support
- Free white glove delivery
- High-airflow coils for advanced cooling
- Bouncy and responsive foam layers
- VariFlex foam prevents bottoming out
- Cooler sleep with copper-infused foam
- Extra support for your lower back
- Good for couples who toss and turn
Compare the Best Soft Mattresses
| | | | | | | | | |
| Helix Sunset Mattress | Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid | Nectar Premier Mattress | DreamCloud Premier Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Silk & Snow Hybrid Mattress | Saatva Rx Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Firmness | Soft: 5.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Best For | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Joint Pain | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Our Best Soft Mattresses Video Review
Read about our testing experience with each of the beds on our list below.
Helix Sunset Mattress – Best Soft Mattress Overall
This is one of the softest beds you can order from Helix, and according to our testers, it feels heavenly while you’re resting on your side. Its cushiony foams really cradle the hips and shoulders, while the springs beneath provide enough support for lightweight and average-weight side sleepers. Back and stomach sleepers should find something firmer.
Helix is known for making hybrid beds to suit a wide variety of sleepers and preferences. The Sunset is one of the brand’s softest models, made with cushy foam layers to provide plush comfort and pressure relief. We certainly found it delivered on this front, awarding it an impressive 4.4/5 pressure relief score and a super-soft firmness rating of 5.5/10. While any soft mattress lover should rest comfortably on the Helix Sunset, side and back sleepers especially should feel like they’re floating on a fluffy cloud.
Firmness: 5.5/10
The Helix Sunset has a softer feel.
Pressure Relief: 4.4/5
Above average. Side sleepers should especially love the pressure relief this mattress offers.
Edge Support: 3.6/5
Below average. Sitting on the edge of the Helix Sunset creates a rather large dip.
Cooling: 3.5/5
Below average. Even with the cooling pillow top upgrade, the Helix Sunset still holds onto quite a lot of heat.
Motion Isolation: 4.2/5
Above average. Any disturbances felt on the Helix Sunset’s surface were negligible.
Response: 4/5
Below average. Moving around on the Helix Sunset should be achievable, but not seamless.
Our testers and Dr. Hannah Habeeb praised the Sunset’s comforting feel. “Immediately, you feel like you’re being hugged by this mattress,” Dr. Habeeb said after lying on it. “It’s very plush, and it really contours to your body and relieves pressure.”
These sentiments were echoed in our dedicated pressure relief tests, particularly by average-weight tester Sosha Lewis. She enjoyed the mattress in both side and back sleeping positions. “I love the combination of support and cushioning this mattress offers,” she explained. “I’m a side sleeper, and it feels great in that position, but this bed could also convert me to back sleeping—it feels super nice along my mid-back and keeps me very aligned. It’s my kind of cushioning.”
The Sunset’s soft feel also lends it some excellent motion absorption, which we observed firsthand in our couple’s test. “When my partner climbed in and out of bed, their movements didn’t really register on my side,” said our in-house tester. “The plush pillow top and upper foam layers soaked up most of the impact, so I wasn’t being bounced around or disturbed.” She only noticed movement when her fellow tester was right beside her, but it wasn’t anything that would disturb light sleepers, so she rated the overall motion isolation at 4.2/5.
On top of that, though, our tester still found it relatively easy to move around on this mattress. “I never felt like I was sinking so much that I couldn’t move,” she said. “The coils add a nice bit of bounce, so switching positions was no big deal. I never felt ‘stuck’ in the mattress, but keep in mind you won’t roll around as easily as you would on a firmer bed.”
This softness did have a downside, unfortunately. In our edge support tests, we noticed quite a lot of sinkage when we put all our weight on the perimeter of the bed. “When I sit down, the perimeter noticeably compresses, and the slick cover makes me feel like I’m slowly slipping outward,” our tester explained. “Overall, the edges don’t offer the level of stability I’d expect; they’re definitely on the weaker side.” She did experience better results when lying down at the edge, but sleepers who want rock-solid support at the perimeter should look elsewhere, like the Bear Elite Hybrid.
Read more about this mattress in our full Helix Sunset mattress review.
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid – Best Soft Hybrid Mattress
The Leesa Sapira Chill is a cool, comfortable bed that pairs a plush pillow top with supportive zoned coils. It’s available in three firmness options, so many sleepers should be able to choose a model that works for their sleeping position. This isn’t the cheapest option for a cooling mattress, though. Instead, check out the Cocoon Chill.
Hybrid mattresses combine the best of innerspring and all-foam beds with coils and comfort layers. This gives them an enviable mix of both softness and support, which is precisely how we’d describe the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid. Though available in multiple firmness options, even the mid-range Sapira Chill Hybrid should give sleepers a medium-soft feel. It scored well across the board in our tests, though particularly high in pressure relief (4.5/5) and edge support (4.3/5).
Firmness: 6/10
The Medium Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid has a slightly softer—but still medium—feel.
Pressure Relief: 4.5/5
Above average. Our testers encountered plenty of pressure relief in the back- and side-sleeping position.
Edge Support: 4.3/5
Above average. The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid has excellent edge support for sitting and lying down at the far reaches of the bed.
Cooling: 4/5
Average. True to its name, the Leesa Sapira Chill has a pleasantly cool-to-the-touch feel.
Motion Isolation: 3.8/5
Below average. You’ll likely feel your partner moving around on the other side of the bed, just like we did.
Response: 4/5
Below average. Though it’s a hybrid mattress, the Leesa Sapira Chill has a doughy pillow top that makes it harder to move around on.
This mattress comes in three different firmness levels: plush, medium-firm, or firm. We tested the medium-firm version and rated it at 6/10 on our firmness scale, a bit softer than advertised. This might satisfy some sleepers looking for a soft hybrid, but folks looking for extreme plushness can opt for the softest model.
Either way, the Sapira Chill Hybrid should allow for plenty of sinkage and cushioning. Dr. Hannah Habeeb, our chief medical product tester, enjoyed it most for side sleeping, citing its even pressure distribution. “It’s very soft and contours to your body really well,” she explained.
Our testers agreed, though our heavyweight tester was also able to find comfort while resting on his back. “I feel equally supported in this position,” he said. “There’s no added pressure, and it feels really comfortable.”
Even with this softer feel, the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid still held its shape in our edge support tests. When my colleague Melanie Kassel sat down at the perimeter, she could feel the reinforcement keeping her aloft. Lying down at the edge also felt seamless: “If my eyes were closed, it might even be hard to tell whether or not I was on the edge of the bed,” she said.
The Sapira Chill Hybrid also lives up to its name, since it scored admirably in our cooling test. Melanie found that the bed heated up in our thermal gun test, showing a 10-degree increase in surface temperature after lying on it for seven minutes. However, she pushed back against the idea that this was a “hot bed.” “This mattress feels truly cool to the touch, thanks to its cooling cover,” she said. “I never felt it noticeably heating up beneath me throughout the test.”
This bed faltered only in motion isolation. We found it surprising, given the slightly slow-moving feel at its surface, but Melanie wasn’t too wowed by the bed’s ability to stifle disturbances.
“I could definitely feel my fellow tester moving around on top of the mattress,” she said. “The pillow top did a handy job of absorbing the motion, but it couldn’t totally counteract the springiness of the mattress construction.” If you’re a light sleeper seeking uninterrupted sleep, check out the Silk & Snow Hybrid.
For more about this mattress, read our dedicated Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid review.
Nectar Premier Memory Foam – Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress
The Nectar Premier mattress is a luxurious bed that offers lots of pressure relief. It’s softer than average, which makes it a nice option for many side sleepers. This mattress has cooling gel foam and a cover made with Phase Change Material, so it works well for hot sleepers. However, it may not be supportive enough for many back and stomach sleepers. And because it’s a high-end model, it could be out of some people’s budgets. To learn more, watch our video review.
Memory foam mattresses are great if you’re looking for both softness and affordability. While the original Nectar Classic is great, the Nectar Premier is one step up in luxury and plushness. This bed provides gentle contouring and cradling, as well as an impressively cool surface that we don’t often see in all-foam mattresses, which led to a 4.5/5 cooling score. It also earned its highest rating for pressure relief at 4.6/5.
Firmness: 6/10
The Nectar Premier has a slightly soft feel.
Pressure Relief: 4.6/5
Above average. Both side and back sleepers should enjoy the plush, contouring feel of the Nectar Premier Memory Foam.
Edge Support: 4/5
Below average. The edges of the Premier Memory Foam dipped quite a bit when sitting down on them.
Cooling: 4.5/5
Above average. The Nectar Premier Memory Foam’s cooling cover keeps temperatures low at the surface.
Motion Isolation: 4.3/5
Above average. Couples shouldn’t feel their partner’s movements on this bed.
Response: 3/5
Below average. You’ll need to put in the effort to move around on the Nectar Premier Memory Foam.
This mattress is only available in one firmness option, which we rated at a 6/10, a bit more plush than your typical medium-firm. It offers a mix of contouring memory foam and denser support foams to give a balance of softness and support.
Our pressure-relief testers liked the mattress on both their sides and their backs. Average-weight tester Melanie Kassel preferred it in the former position: “My hips and shoulders feel aligned and cradled at the same time,” she said. “I feel loads of pressure relief, so this bed was made for side sleeping.”
However, lightweight tester Riley Otis loved the mattress for back sleepers. “My entire body is sinking in about an inch, but my weight is distributed evenly,” she explained. “There’s absolutely no pressure on my back at all.”
Foam beds like the Nectar Premier are notorious for trapping heat, but we found this wasn’t the case for this mattress. Melanie used a thermal gun to measure the bed’s surface temperature before and after a 7-minute nap on this bed. “The temperature of this bed was already cool when we started, even after conducting some other tests, and then its temperature only rose 4.4 degrees,” she said. “The bed felt cool and cozy the whole time I was lying on it.”
The Nectar Premier did follow the trend of foam beds having great motion isolation, though. I hopped into this mattress alongside Melanie to act as her partner for the couple’s test. “I felt Livvi get onto the bed, but that was about it,” she said. “Her movements were very muffled, and I had a hard time noticing exactly when she rolled around.” She further recommended the mattress for light sleepers, awarding it a 4.3/5 in this category.
Where Melanie wasn’t impressed, though, was the bed’s responsiveness. Given its all-foam construction and softer feel, she wasn’t too surprised. “This mattress does hold onto you—I felt like I was resisting it when I moved to and fro,” she said. “I think this is a fair tradeoff for how nice and contouring it feels, and it wasn’t unexpected.” But if you want something bouncier, check out the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid.
Read our full Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress review to find out more about this bed.
DreamCloud Premier Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers
The DreamCloud Premier is a luxurious hybrid that gives you the feeling of sleeping in a nice hotel. Its combination of foam, coils, and cooling materials make it an ideal pick for both back sleepers and hot sleepers as well. At the same time, it is plush enough for the majority of side sleepers. However, if you sleep on your stomach, take a look at the firmer DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress. Learn more in our video review.
Side sleepers are some of the best candidates for soft mattresses. These folks need plenty of sinkage and cushioning around the hips and shoulders. A mattress that provides precisely this is the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid. This hybrid has a slightly plush Euro top that gives side sleepers all the pressure relief they require, plus coils to keep them supported and aligned. This bed ultimately scored 4.3/5 for overall pressure relief, high marks for edge support, and a perfect rating for responsiveness.
Firmness: 6/10
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid has a medium-soft feel.
Pressure Relief: 4.3/5
Above average. Back sleepers will reap the most pressure relief on the DreamCloud Premier.
Edge Support: 4.4/5
Above average. The edges barely buckled when sitting or lying down on the DreamCloud Premier’s perimeter.
Cooling: 3.5/5
Below average. This mattress did retain quite a bit of heat in our cooling test, so it likely won’t appeal to hot sleepers.
Motion Isolation: 4/5
Average. The dense pillow top of the DreamCloud Premier should absorb some motion.
Response: 5/5
Exceptional. This hybrid mattress has a super-bouncy feel.
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid came in at a 6/10 on our scale, skewing slightly softer than traditional medium-firm. All of our testers, including Dr. Hannah Habeeb, absolutely adored this mattress for side-sleeping.
Dr. Habeeb particularly thought the bed was a great option for hip and shoulder pain: “My shoulder and hip feel very cushioned on this mattress, and pressure is evenly distributed as the bed contours to my entire body. It feels awesome,” she said.
Our pressure relief testers heartily agreed with Dr. Habeeb’s findings. Average-weight tester Sosha Lewis particularly loved how the bed cushioned along her shoulder and ribcage.
“The top is super soft, but the coils do a great job supporting me,” she added. Lightweight tester Riley Otis echoed this, saying, “I typically have pressure in my shoulders, but this bed is providing a lot of relief while still keeping me supported.” Only our heavyweight tester found the mattress too soft for side sleeping.
The coils in the DreamCloud Premier not only provided support, but also plenty of bounce, as our in-house tester discovered during the responsiveness test. “Though it’s not as bouncy as some hybrid mattresses, it did assist me when I moved around,” she said. “It’s very easy to switch positions on top of, and you never feel ‘stuck’ in its surface.”
She also thought the mattress had excellent edge support for a softer bed. “The plush top is where most of the sinkage happens when I’m sitting down,” she explained. “The mattress does a great job of holding me in place, and I don’t feel like I am going to slide off.” Lying down on the very edge was even better, with our testers noting no compression from the bed’s pillow top. “This bed would be great for a senior sleeper looking for that extra edge support with plushness,” she added.
Sleepers who may not be totally wowed by the DreamCloud Premier, though, are my fellow hot sleepers. The bed earned its lowest score here because it heated up during our cooling test. Still, our tester reported that she wasn’t “too concerned” with the mattress feeling stuffy. “If you are a hot sleeper, this mattress could work poorly for you,” she explained, “but I thought the mattress felt great overall and wouldn’t have me waking up from being too hot.” Hot sleepers may want to direct their attention to the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid, our pick for the best soft cooling bed.
Read more about the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid in our dedicated review.
WinkBed – Best Soft Mattress for Back Pain
The WinkBed is a versatile mattress that provides zoned support and cooling comfort for a fair price. This bed’s excellent responsiveness makes it a good fit for combination sleeper that want a bed that’s easy to move around on. For couples looking for motion isolation, though, this probably isn’t the best choice. Instead, check out the Nectar Premier Copper. Learn more in our video review.
Do you think a too-firm mattress is causing your back pain? A soft but supportive hybrid mattress like the WinkBed could be just what the doctor ordered. This is a favorite of ours to recommend for folks with back pain because of its lifted feel, which comes from the sturdy, spine-aligning coils in its construction. While the Luxury Firm model we tested will likely be too firm for soft fans, the Plusher WinkBed should live up to its name. It also boasts high scores for back-sleeping pressure relief, edge support, and cooling.
Firmness: 6.5/10
The Luxury Firm model of the WinkBed has a true medium-firm feel.
Pressure Relief: 3.8/5
Below average. Back sleepers gleaned the most pressure relief on the WinkBed.
Edge Support: 4.4/5
Above average. We only noticed some minor sinkage when seated on the edge of the mattress.
Cooling: 4/5
Average. As we used our thermal gun to record the bed’s surface temperature, we could see the number going down, even after someone lay on it for seven minutes.
Motion Isolation: 3.7/5
Below average. The WinkBed has just-alright motion isolation, as we could feel our partner’s movements. However, they weren’t too egregious.
Response: 3/5
Below average. The WinkBed’s thick pillow top impeded our ability to seamlessly move around on the bed’s surface.
As I mentioned, the WinkBed comes in three firmness variants: Plusher, Luxury Firm, and Firm. There’s also a WinkBed Plus, designed for plus-size sleepers. We tested the mid-range Luxury Firm model and found it to be a true medium-firm feel, a 6.5/10. It follows that the Plusher variant will feel softer than this, likely around a 5.5 or 6/10.
The WinkBed does have a more “on top” feel from its coils, rather than the super-sink of a traditional foam mattress. This makes for great support and neutral alignment, per Dr. Hannah Habeeb. “I think people with back pain can enjoy the WinkBed’s support system, since it keeps the spine very straight while the pillow top provides slight cushioning.”
Back sleeping was the favored position from our pressure relief testers. As average-weight tester Sosha Lewis put it: “If I owned this bed, I would become a back sleeper.” She praised how the pillow top contoured to her lower back, filling in the gap there and providing extra lift to the lumbar spine.
Our heavyweight tester was able to sleep on his side on the WinkBed, though he noted some slight pressure buildup where his hips, shoulders, and lower back dug into the mattress. “I do feel well-aligned, thanks to the sturdy coils,” he added.
These coils also give the WinkBed excellent edge support. My colleague Melanie Kassel discovered this when she lay down at the perimeter of the bed. She praised the bed’s edge support in each sleeping position. “If my eyes had been closed, I would not have been able to tell you I was near the edge,” she said. “Even when side sleeping—usually my most precarious position on the edge—I was fully elevated, and it felt like lying on any other part of the bed.”
Melanie was also surprised by the WinkBed’s cooling performance. After lying on the mattress for a few minutes, she used the thermal gun to measure the increase in surface temperature. “There was a 6.7-degree increase overall, but I could see the thermal imaging gun keep decreasing as we aimed it at the bed,” she said. “It continued to feel nice and cool during my testing, which impressed me because of the nice, plush pillow top.”
While most hybrids excel at responsiveness, Melanie found that this aforementioned plush pillow top slowed her down. “There’s something about the denseness or heaviness of the base that muffles the springs’ recoil, and the pillow top also doesn’t assist with movement,” she explained. “It doesn’t trap me or leave me sunken into the surface, but it’s a lot less responsive than I expected.” Combination sleepers looking for a bouncier bed should check out the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid.
Read more in our dedicated WinkBed mattress review.
Silk & Snow Hybrid – Best Affordable Soft Mattress
The Silk & Snow Hybrid actually feels slightly softer than the Canadian brand’s signature all-foam mattress. Its 2-inch layer of gel-infused foam brings a lot of pressure relief to the table (though it didn’t cool our testers down as well as we’d hoped). The zoned support is what truly stands out: it makes it a great bed for back sleepers who also like a cushiony top.
A new soft mattress doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you’re looking to ball on a budget, allow me to direct your attention to the Silk & Snow Hybrid. This Canadian-made mattress is reasonably priced (as low as $800 for a queen with sales) but thoughtfully constructed, available in multiple firmness options, including a plush model complete with a puffy pillow top. Even the medium-firm model we tried had some plushness, with admirable pressure relief (4/5) and a slow-moving feel that absorbs motion (4.7/5).
Firmness: 6/10
The medium model of Silk & Snow Hybrid is true to its name, if slightly soft.
Pressure Relief: 4/5
Average. This mattress offered good pressure relief for both side and back sleepers.
Edge Support: 3.4/5
Below average. We noticed quite a bit of sinkage when seated on the edge of the Silk & Snow Hybrid.
Cooling: 4.5/5
Above average. True to its name, the Silk & Snow didn’t heat up after lying on it for seven minutes.
Motion Isolation: 4.7/5
Above average. The water glass barely moved or wobbled in our motion isolation tests.
Response: 4/5
Below average. The surface of the Silk & Snow Hybrid is slightly soft, which could make moving around a bit difficult.
The Silk & Snow Hybrid’s price changes depending on the firmness option you select. The softest model is the most expensive because of the added pillow top, regularly retailing for $1,185 for a queen-size mattress. We’d already call this a great value, but frequent sales and discounts can bring this number even lower, closer to $1,000.
Since the medium-firm model felt a bit soft to us, the plushest version should offer even more cushioning and cradling. The Silk & Snow received good ratings for both back- and side-sleeping pressure relief. Our average-weight back sleeper said the mattress felt like it was “hugging” her lower back. “Overall, I feel pretty good alignment and pressure relief,” she added.
Our heavyweight tester loved the mattress on his side, recommending it for folks in his weight category. “I feel totally supported and aligned,” he said. “There’s some great pressure relief around my shoulders, neck, and hips.”
With such a wintry name, we also expected the Silk & Snow to deliver some top-notch cooling. Our in-house tester noted that this mattress felt cool to the touch at the surface. “I didn’t notice the mattress heating up at all, and I was on it for 7 minutes,” she said. “I even searched for warmth underneath my hips and shoulders, where I thought it might feel hotter, but couldn’t detect anything.”
For a hybrid mattress, the Silk & Snow also provides excellent motion absorption. During the couple’s test, our tester believed she only felt her fellow tester’s movement because she was bracing herself for it. “I did hold up my thumb to indicate movement two different times, but it was so slight,” she added. “I am a very light sleeper, but I don’t think the little movement I felt from my partner getting in and out of bed or changing positions would have woken me.”
Unfortunately, Silk & Snow lagged a bit behind in our edge support evaluation. Our tester felt as if she were sliding off the edge of the mattress when she sat at the perimeter. When she lay down on her back or stomach at the edge, she felt fine, but side-sleeping was a different story. “When I shifted from my back to my side, and I was on the edge of the bed, I could feel my weight slowly shifting toward the edge even more, and I definitely think that if I were asleep, I could have fallen off,” she explained. If you’re looking for better edge support from your bed, I’d suggest the WinkBed instead.
Saatva Rx – Best Soft Mattress for Joint Pain
The Saatva Rx is a great fit for people with deal with pain issues. Its unique coil system offers some of the best contouring we have ever experienced. Learn more in our video review.
Sleepers with sensitive joints or arthritis could find pain-free sleep on a soft mattress like the Saatva Rx. As the name implies, this mattress was created for folks with chronic pain concerns. The result is a super-soft, comfy mattress that cradles your body and practically melts away the pressure. Our testers gave it a near-perfect 4.7/5 for pressure relief, plus high marks for motion isolation and Saatva’s top-notch customer service.
Firmness: 5/10
The Saatva Rx has a super-soft feel.
Pressure Relief: 4.7/5
Above average. This mattress provides exceptional pressure relief for both side and back sleepers.
Edge Support: 3.4/5
Below average. When we sat down on the Saatva Rx, we felt like we could easily slide off.
Cooling: 4/5
Average. We thought this mattress had a comfortable, breathable feel and kept temperatures from rising.
Motion Isolation: 4.7/5
Above average. Any movement you feel on the Saatva Rx should be very light or completely unnoticeable.
Response: 4/5
Below average. The plush, dense feel of the Saatva Rx may require a little more effort to roll around on.
At 5/10 on our firmness scale, the Saatva Rx is one of the softest mattresses we’ve tested. Dr. Hannah Habeeb said that the bed’s “extremely plush” feel will work well for joint pain. “This bed provides the perfect cushioning around the bony areas, such as the hip, shoulders, and knees. There’s no extra force placed on these joints, which can help provide some relief,” she explained.
Because of the Rx’s softer feel, sleepers who need more pressure relief, like side and back sleepers, will do best on this mattress. Lightweight tester Riley Otis loved the mattress on her side, praising its soft yet supportive feel. “I love how it feels on my extremities, and my spine is very aligned,” she added. Riley also noted that sleeping on her back made her feel “weightless” on the mattress.
The surface of the Saatva Rx is not just soft, but also thick and cushy to absorb motion. Our tester believed the Rx had “the actual best motion isolation” she’d ever witnessed in a mattress. “Every movement was so light,” she explained. “Even when my partner was deliberately switching positions beside me, it felt much better than the most minute movements on other mattresses.” She further recommended it as one of the best mattresses for couples.
This bed also features a breathable organic cotton cover to keep things light and airy for hot sleepers. Our tester didn’t notice any temperature change after lying on this mattress for seven minutes. “Usually, I can notice temperature rising on a bed’s surface, but this one remained consistent,” she said. “It looks like it did get hotter according to the temperature gun (about 7 degrees), but I didn’t feel it at all.”
Our tester did notice that the Saatva Rx’s seated edge support left something to be desired. “The perimeter collapsed pretty significantly beneath my weight, and I felt like I was going to slide off the mattress,” she explained. This was not as egregious when lying down, but folks who rely on the edge to sit and tie their shoes, for example, will need something sturdier. I recommend the WinkBed.
You can find out more in our dedicated Saatva Rx review.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Hot Sleepers
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature is an affordable, no-frills bed with a medium-firm feel that should work for a wide variety of sleepers. While it’s made with durable materials and should last up to 10 years, it isn’t the most luxurious option. If you’re looking for a premium bed, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a straightforward but effective mattress. Despite the limited cooling technology, it performed extremely well in our temperature tests, leading to a 4.5/5 cooling score. What’s more, this hybrid is available in multiple firmness options, including soft, to satisfy your personal preferences. Aside from hot sleepers, this bed should appeal to multiple sleeper types, as our testers enjoyed the medium Signature Hybrid in every sleeping position.
Firmness: 7/10
The Medium model of the Signature Hybrid has a slightly firmer feel.
Pressure Relief: 4/5
Average. Back sleepers should glean the most pressure relief from the Signature Hybrid.
Edge Support: 4.2/5
Above average. The edge of the mattress only dipped when you sat down on it.
Cooling: 4.5/5
Above average. Despite the Signature Hybrid’s lack of dedicated cooling technology, it has a breathable and temperature-neutral feel.
Motion Isolation: 4/5
Average. You can still feel movement on the Signature Hybrid, but it’s relatively muffled.
Response: 4/5
Below average. The Signature Hybrid’s pillow top may impede some sleeper’s movements, but it’s still a fairly responsive mattress.
The Signature Hybrid is available in soft, medium, and firm models to cover all the bases. After testing out the medium model, I rated it at a slightly firmer 7/10 on our scale. Based on this, the soft model should fall closer to a 6/10, more apropos for plush fans.
Still, the medium model of the Signature Hybrid did boast a balanced blend of softness and support, making it versatile enough for multiple sleeper types. Dr. Hannah Habeeb, for one, enjoyed the mattress for stomach sleeping: “I don’t feel my hips sinking, so there’s no strain on my lower back. It’s also comfortable on my chest, with just enough sinkage to still maintain alignment.”
Our average-weight tester preferred back sleeping above all, citing “minimal pressure.” She said, “I have a longer bottom half, and the mattress is sinking enough to accommodate that, which isn’t something I usually experience on a bed.” She also found side sleeping to be relatively comfortable. “I only feel a slight pressure on my hip, but this is common for me. It’s still contouring to my body in a nice way,” she added.
The Signature Hybrid felt pleasantly cool in my own temperature tests. As a hot sleeper, I was impressed to find that the surface temperature barely rose 4 degrees after I lay on it for over seven minutes. It didn’t feel as icy as other cooling beds I’ve tried, but I think most hot sleepers will rest easy.
I’m also someone who loves strong edge support in a mattress, and the Signature Hybrid didn’t disappoint here, either. When I sit at the perimeter, there’s only a smidge of sinkage, and nothing that has me slipping or sliding off the bed. I could also lie down in every sleeping position at the very edge and still feel stable and secure. If you’re looking for solid edge support, you’re set with the Signature Hybrid.
The only sleepers I’d recommend steering clear of this bed are those who love a bouncy mattress. The plusher top of the Signature Hybrid was a bit too doughy for my tastes, so it ended up impeding my movement as I tried to switch positions. It’s by no means impossible, but it’s not as seamless as I’d like. I’d recommend the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid instead, which earned a perfect responsiveness score.
Read more in our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress – Best Luxury Soft Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid is Bear’s most high-end mattress. It offers luxury features, like zoned support and extra height, while still offering the temperature regulation Bear mattresses are known for. Based on our testing results, we’d recommend this mattress to average-weight side and back sleepers, as well as hot sleepers. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out the Bear Star Hybrid. Learn more in our video review.
Some people equate soft beds with the height of luxury, and this is the intersection where the Bear Elite Hybrid lives. This high-end mattress features a breathable cover with cooling fibers, multiple foam layers stacked into an uber-plush pillow top, and a zoned coil unit to provide central support where sleepers need it most. And the best part is that it also comes in a soft version—even though we tried out the medium and thought it skewed pretty plush. It earned a 4.3/5 pressure relief score, as well as high ratings for responsiveness (5/5) and edge support (4.6/5).
Firmness: 6/10
The mid-range model for the Bear Elite Hybrid skews slightly soft.
Pressure Relief: 4.3/5
Above average. The Bear Elite offers better pressure relief for back sleepers.
Edge Support: 4.6/5
Above average. The edges barely budged when sitting or lying down on them.
Cooling: 2.5/5
Below average. We had conflicting results in our cooling test, but it heated up quite a lot.
Motion Isolation: 4/5
Average. We could feel movement from the other side of the bed, but it’s likely not enough to wake a light sleeper.
Response: 5/5
Exceptional. Even with the softer pillow top, moving around was a breeze.
The medium model of the Bear Elite Hybrid came in at a slightly softer 6/10 on our firmness scale. If that’s not plush enough for you, the soft version should offer even more sinkage and pressure relief—two areas where the Bear Elite already excels.
Dr. Hannah Habeeb praised the mattress for just that in her evaluation. She found it to be an orthopedic mattress overall, because “it does a very good job of contouring your body while still being supportive enough and providing pressure relief at your different bony points.” She also thought that side sleepers would enjoy how the pillow top contours to their hips and shoulders while the coils below keep them comfortably aligned.
Back sleeping was the biggest hit among our pressure-relief testers, though. Our heavyweight tester found sufficient support, while our lightweight tester, Riley Otis, experienced excellent sinkage around the hips. Our average-weight tester liked how the mattress felt “plush, but not so much that you feel like you’re falling through the mattress.”
Even with its super-soft sinkage, the Bear Elite Hybrid earned a 5/5 responsiveness score from our tester. She did comment on the pillow top’s dense feel, but thought the coils outweighed it. “I didn’t sink very far into the surface, and the coils made it a breeze to launch myself around,” she said. “Toggling through different sleep positions felt very easy.”
Our tester also thought the Bear Elite’s surprisingly strong edge support helped boost her in and out of bed. “It was so easy to get out of this bed that I felt like I essentially bounced out,” she said. “The bed has a nice reinforced-feeling edge that supported me while I sat on the side.” She also found that lying down at the far edges of the bed felt just as secure as the center, no matter what position she took. It’s rare to find a softer bed with such robust edge support, something folks who like to spread out should appreciate.
While the Elite Hybrid coasted through most of our tests, we did encounter mixed results when it came time to judge temperature regulation. Our tester used a thermal gun to measure the increase in surface temperature before and after she lay on the surface for seven minutes. She recorded a whopping 12-degree jump, more than double what we see on average.
Though she ultimately gave it a low score because of this, she didn’t feel it was fully deserved: “The temperature of the mattress wasn’t noticeably warm or cool, so I was surprised it warmed up by as much as it did,” she explained.
“That said, I’m a perpetually cold person who doesn’t struggle with night sweats or overheating in bed, so I might not be sensitive to certain temperature changes.” If you’re after a true cooling mattress, I recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid instead.
For more information, check out our Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review.
Latest Updates: This 2026 refresh comes from recent re-testing of hundreds of mattresses, including reevaluation of firmness levels. Based on our new findings, some mattresses on the old list skewed firmer than expected and had to go. This made way for new additions like the Silk & Snow Hybrid and Saatva Rx. Of course, some got to stick around, such as the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid and DreamCloud Premier Hybrid, to name a few.
Other Soft Mattresses We Researched
Didn’t find what you were looking for in the list above? Here are some other soft beds that might interest you:
- Saatva Classic – This luxury innerspring mattress comes in three firmness levels and two height options for your personal comfort, including a “plush soft model.” While the Saatva Classic does offer enviable pressure relief and cushioning from its pillow top, since we found the mid-range version a bit firmer than average, the softest model could still be too firm for some folks.
- Nolah Evolution – The Nolah Evolution mattress is a luxury hybrid and a fan favorite of our testers for its pressure relief and well-rounded performance. It also comes in multiple firmnesses, including a soft model. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to try this variant specifically; we tested the Luxury Firm model and found it had a true medium-firm feel. The Evolution should still be a great match for couples, especially light sleepers who have a restless partner, thanks to its exceptional motion isolation.
- Nectar Classic Hybrid – The hybrid version of Nectar’s flagship mattress has a surprisingly soft and squishy feel because of its contouring comfort layers. However, we opted for the Premier so our readers could have a plush, all-foam option to choose from. The Classic Hybrid will work best for side sleepers who want a soft-but-supportive sleep surface with gentle sinkage.
What Makes a Great Soft Mattress
You might have noticed the sheer breadth of categories that we test when reviewing mattresses. When it comes to soft mattresses, however, we tried to prioritize what would be most beneficial to you, the consumer, when shopping for the most comfortable, plush-feeling bed. So, we focused on three major areas: the mattress’s perceived firmness level, how much pressure it relieves, and how well-supported we feel when lying on it.
Softness
At Mattress Clarity, we measure mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Generally, the industry standard is 6.5/10, or medium-firm, so anything lower than that is considered soft.
However, it’s rare to see a mattress come in below a 4, as it might be too soft to remain comfortable and provide support for most sleepers. Thus, we chose a range of beds, mostly falling around the 5 or 6 range, to represent the “soft” category—or we made sure to pick options that offer multiple firmness models, including a plush one.
Firmness is subjective and can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors, including your body shape and even individual preference. That’s why we never take a bed’s advertised firmness at face value. We award a mattress its firmness level after testing it out in multiple positions, oftentimes asking the opinion of our fellow testers, to get a holistic view of how firm it should feel to the average sleeper.
If you want to change the firmness of your mattress without buying a whole new one (because let’s face it, beds are expensive), you can consider buying a soft mattress topper to soften your existing bed’s surface.
Pressure Relief
Soft beds tend to excel in what’s called pressure relief. When you lie on a mattress, you may feel certain pressure points digging into its surface, such as the hips or shoulders, when lying on your side. A mattress with good pressure relief will provide cradling for these areas, allowing them to sink in without letting pressure (and sometimes pain) build up.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta recommends looking for “contouring components” in a mattress for pressure relief. “I recommend memory foam or latex, which conform to the sleeper’s body and allow for comfortable sinkage,” he says. During testing, we look for these materials and whether we can actually feel them doing the work.
In our pressure map tests, we pay particular attention to the back- and side-sleeping positions, as these require the most pressure relief. After gathering testers representing every weight category (lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight), each tester will lie down in both positions and give their opinion on how they feel. Every tester gives a rating out of 5 for each position.
As our testers lie on the surface of the bed, the pressure mat beneath them measures how much pressure builds up across their bodies and creates an infrared “scan” showing areas of high and low pressure. It also takes an average pressure rating across the bed’s surface, measured in PSI (pounds per square inch).
This number represents how much resistance a sleeper might encounter overall. We also compare what we see on average to gauge the overall pressure relief. For reference, side sleepers’ average PSI falls around 12.5, while back sleepers’ pressure relief is closer to 15. A lower number means less pressure and more relief. It’s also typical for heavyweight and lightweight sleepers to fall above and below these numbers, respectively.
These objective results are combined with our testers’ more subjective experience to influence a bed’s final pressure relief score, which is also out of 5. I’ll note that sometimes a bed feels worse for one position or body type, which can bring down the overall score. But if a bed scores above a 4/5 for a certain position, you’ll likely experience plenty of cushioning and cradling.
Support
A soft bed is nothing without the support to back it up, though. As Dr. Raj Dasgupta also notes, “If a mattress doesn’t provide the proper support, it can cause discomfort and exacerbate further pain.” We look for something called “proper spinal alignment” to judge how supportive a mattress is. This is just a fancy way of saying that our spine feels as though it’s in its natural position, with no part of the body at any awkward angle. It usually follows a slight S-curve, with a bed’s surface conforming to your lower back.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta warns that a too-soft mattress can compromise your spinal alignment. “This is why we often recommend a medium-firm mattress, as it should provide a balance of support and softness to maintain alignment for most sleepers,” he explains. Of course, a soft bed can benefit a lot of folks, such as those with pain concerns, side sleepers, and lighter-weight sleepers who otherwise can’t get comfortable on medium or firm mattresses.
We don’t have an official test for support, but it’s a factor when evaluating both pressure relief and mattress firmness. Throughout the testing process, multiple sleepers of varying weights and preferences will lie down on the mattress in each position. By the end of it, we have an understanding of who will ultimately find the mattress supportive.
What Else Is Important When Buying a Soft Mattress?
Besides the categories I’ve already outlined, you might still have questions or concerns that you’ll want to take into consideration when making your final purchase. Here are a few more factors that can influence what kind of soft mattress is best for you:
Type of Mattress
Different mattress types can yield different feels and affect the overall firmness of a bed. Some types might be softer than others or better-suited to certain sleepers.
Memory foam mattresses are made out of viscoelastic polyurethane foam (also called polyfoam). They’re generally plush—though the higher the density of the foams, the firmer the bed will be. These beds often appeal to those looking for lots of plush pressure relief, such as side sleepers or those suffering from joint pain. However, they’re not very responsive, and they can also trap heat, which may deter combination sleepers or those who run hot.
Latex mattresses have a bouncier feel, thanks to the natural buoyancy of the material derived from rubber tree sap. Latex beds are also soft, but in a different way from the slow-moving, sinking feeling of memory foam. While more expensive, latex offers more pressure-relieving and breathable cushioning than traditional foam.
Innerspring mattresses are built with a layer (or layers) of coils and often include a thin layer for pressure relief. So, they tend to be the firmest and rather bouncy. However, if you like the feel of an innerspring bed but want a soft mattress, we recommend a hybrid mattress, which has thick comfort layers and a coil unit. Those who enjoy innersprings tend to be those wanting lots of firm support, such as stomach sleepers.
Hybrid mattresses combine a support layer of pocketed coils with soft comfort layers. The materials used in these layers vary from bed to bed, which can greatly affect the feel. Generally hybrid mattresses offer more support than memory foam mattresses but can have a soft feel, depending on the plushness of the materials used. In that sense, they’re variable and versatile, and can work for just about any sleeping position or body type, based on the model you choose.
Sleeping Position
“The ideal firmness for your needs depends on your unique preferences, including the positions you most commonly sleep in,” explains Dr. Dasgupta. This means soft mattresses may not work for every type of sleeper.
Softer mattresses that relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips are often some of the best mattresses for side sleepers. If someone sleeps on their side and has a firmer mattress, they may experience discomfort or pain as pressure builds up in these areas.
While some back sleepers may find the support they need on a plusher mattress, including the necessary contouring at the lumbar spine. However, sinking in too far could compromise your overall alignment. If you experience this on a soft mattress, you may do better on a medium or medium-firm mattress.
Stomach sleepers require an extra level of support that soft mattresses generally can’t provide. Oftentimes, their hips will sink too far into a bed’s surface, causing lower back pain. We usually recommend firm or even extra-firm mattresses for these sleepers.
Body Weight
Dr. Dasgupta also emphasized the importance of taking into account one’s weight when choosing a mattress: “A bed’s firmness can feel different depending on your body type and how much you weigh. Lightweight sleepers tend to find mattresses feel firmer than expected, while heavyweight sleepers tend to find mattresses feel softer than expected.”
If someone weighs more than 230 pounds, no matter what position they sleep in, a softer mattress may not be the best choice. Oftentimes, these sleepers will sink too deeply into a mattress. This means they’ll feel the firmer support layers underneath the plush comfort layers. For side sleepers, this could mean pressure on the shoulders and hips. For back or stomach sleeping, heavier sleepers may feel their hips fall deeper into the bed, throwing their spine out of alignment.
However, lightweight sleepers may be a good match for soft mattresses, as the softer surface will allow them to sink in more deeply. This way, they can glean more pressure relief and cradling.
Edge Support
One common issue with soft mattresses is a lack of proper edge support. When you sit near the edge, many plush mattresses will collapse, making it harder to tie your shoes or sit securely along the perimeter. Also, weak edge support means you may not be able to use as much of the mattress without feeling unsupported or slipping.
To see if a mattress has good edge support, we sit and lie down in each position at the very edge of the bed, judging how secure we feel. We also use weight plates to mimic sleepers of different sizes sitting on the edge, then measure the sinkage depth with a tape measure. The results from these two tests are then averaged together for a final score out of 5. I’d consider anything above 4/5 strong edge support, with anything around 4.5 or above being exceptional.
Luckily, many mattress brands add reinforcement with extra foam or perimeter coils to help with edge support. Look for these when assessing the construction of a softer bed.
Durability
The last thing you want is for your super-soft mattress to start sagging after a few years of use. This is why it’s important to ensure the bed you want includes high-quality, durable materials, like high-density foams, natural latex, and a high coil count.
We also consider edge support a marker of durability. If a bed doesn’t collapse when bearing weight, it’s a sign that it should hold its shape over time, even with repeated use.
Finally, longer warranties aren’t just generous, but we see them as a preview of how long a manufacturer expects its product to last. A lifetime warranty, which all of the above mattresses (besides the Silk & Snow) come with, speaks to a higher confidence in a bed’s longevity.
For more durable options, you can also check out our list of the best mattresses that won’t sag.
Price
Of course, you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. A new mattress can cost you anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on your budget. Regardless of where the numbers fall, shop cautiously. Keep an eye out for deals around holidays and make sure to use our exclusive mattress coupons. Also, check for solid company policies like a lengthy warranty period and a 100-night sleep trial or longer.
A long sleep trial will also give you the opportunity to try before you buy and decide if the price is worth it. Most are at least a few months, but some even last a full year. So long as you initiate a return within the trial period (sometimes after at least 30 days of owning the bed), you’ll usually receive a full refund.
Best Soft Mattress FAQs
What is the highest-rated soft mattress?
We chose the Helix Sunset as our favorite soft mattress because of its super-soft, contouring feel and excellent pressure relief. This hybrid also has a high-end, durable feel while remaining reasonably priced. While it comes highly recommended by our testers and other customers alike, other mattresses may tickle your fancy depending on your personal preferences.
Which type of mattress is the softest?
The softest mattresses usually contain plush, contouring memory foam at its surface, whether their support base is made of coils or other high-density foam. It ultimately comes down to personal preference; while we recommend memory foam mattresses for plushness, I’ve personally found hybrid mattresses that feel softer than their memory foam counterparts, like the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid, for example.
Is a soft mattress better?
For some sleepers, a soft mattress might be better to sleep on. This is especially true if you’re of a lighter weight, as a softer surface can be easier to sink into. Side sleepers may enjoy a softer mattress because it can offer better pressure relief. Plus, if you have sensitive joints or pain concerns, the cradling a soft mattress provides can be beneficial.
Recap: Best Soft Mattresses
| Mattress | Award |
| Helix Sunset Mattress | Best Soft Mattress Overall |
| Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid | Best Soft Hybrid Mattress |
| Nectar Premier Memory Foam | Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress |
| DreamCloud Premier Hybrid | Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers |
| WinkBed | Best Soft Mattress for Back Pain |
| Silk & Snow Hybrid | Best Affordable Soft Mattress |
| Saatva Rx | Best Soft Mattress for Joint Pain |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Best Soft Mattress for Hot Sleepers |
| Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | Best Luxury Soft Mattress |
References
- Radwan, A., Fess, P., James, D., Murphy, J., Myers, J., Rooney, M., Taylor, J., & Torii, A. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials. Sleep Health, 1(4), 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Low, F.-Z., Chua, M. C.-H., Lim, P.-Y., & Yeow, C.-H. (2017). Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 16(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2016.09.002
