Doctors used to prescribe an extra firm mattress for those suffering from low back pain, but it’s no longer the common thinking. In fact, a recent survey of 268 people with low back pain found dormers who had a very firm mattress had the poorest sleep quality.

On the other hand, a mattress that is too soft and lacks sufficient support can lead to an achy back in the morning. This is because with your hips sinking in, you may feel increased pressure on your lower back.

To help you find the best soft mattress, this article will cover several factors such as sleeping position, weight, and lifestyle. Plus, we will go over ten popular mattress brands and see what features they offer.

Watch Our Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Video Review

If you prioritize a cloud-like feel and pressure relief, the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid is an excellent choice. It is the perfect option for side sleepers and those who like a softer feel because of its luxurious, pressure-relieving comfort, which our testers praised.

Reason for the top spot? 

1. Because it maintains support while offering a plush, luxurious feel, our testers adored the AS5 Hybrid. Our analysis of dozens of mattresses in the soft category revealed that the AS5 Hybrid continuously provided the soft, sink-in comfort that lighter and side sleepers desire. 
2. It has Amerisleep’s Bio-Pur® foam, a special memory foam substitute renowned for its breathability and rapid responsiveness. This foam keeps you cool and cozy all night long.

Plush Comfort with Balanced Support: 

This mattress isn’t just soft; it’s soft with purpose. The AS5 Hybrid has a top layer of Bio-Pur® foam, which molds to your body without trapping heat, followed by a layer of Active Flex for extra bounce—no sinking too deeply here.

Hybrid Design for Full-Body Relief: 

Below the foam layers, the coil system provides targeted pressure relief and added support, which is especially helpful for anyone who needs a bit more structure from a soft mattress. It’s the best of both worlds: cloud-like comfort with supportive coils to align your spine.

Motion Isolation That Stands Out: 

One of our testers noted that the AS5 Hybrid handles motion exceptionally well, so you’re less likely to be disturbed by a partner moving at night. This is a huge win if you’re a light sleeper or share the bed.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Mattress

Watch Our Zoma Boost Video Review

Remember that cloud-like feeling you get when you first sink into a new mattress? The Zoma Boost is here to give you that feeling every night, and then some. The secret lies in its plush comfort layer. It’s like a luxurious hug that gently contours your body, relieving pressure points and ensuring a restful night’s sleep.

Our team of testers was blown away by its plush comfort layer, which is a dream come true for side sleepers. It cradles your curves and relieves pressure on your shoulders and hips, so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

We analyzed the mattress’s construction and found that it’s a masterpiece of engineering. The responsive foam layers work together to provide optimal comfort and support, no matter how you sleep. The plush comfort layer conforms to your body shape, while the firmer support layers keep your spine aligned. It’s like having a custom-made mattress that adapts to your every move.

Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or combination sleeper, the Zoma Boost offers a balance of softness and support that’s hard to beat. It’s the perfect mattress for anyone who wants a luxurious sleep experience without sacrificing support.

In addition to being comfortable, the Zoma Boost is made to keep you cool all night long. By dissipating heat, the cutting-edge cooling technology keeps you from overheating and guarantees a restful night’s sleep.

Read Our Full Review of the Zoma Boost Mattress

Watch Our Vaya Hybrid Video Review

Finding a mattress that strikes the perfect balance between affordability and comfort can be tricky. However, following many hours of investigation and evaluation, our testing team came to the united conclusion that the Vaya Hybrid is an exceptional choice. This mattress demonstrates that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have dependable, plush comfort.

Let’s start with its feel: medium-soft and oh-so-cozy. The Vaya Hybrid is designed to suit various sleep positions, making it a versatile choice for rental properties or anyone looking for a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re a side sleeper or someone who likes to sprawl across the mattress, the Vaya Hybrid provides gentle cushioning that adapts beautifully to your body’s curves.

Responsive Foam Comfort Layer: This layer delivers softness without making you feel stuck, an issue we’ve noticed with many budget-friendly mattresses. Instead, you get a light, airy bounce that keeps things comfortable yet supportive.

Breathable Hybrid Design: Unlike all foam options, the Vaya Hybrid incorporates individually wrapped coils beneath the foam. This thoughtful structure not only boosts airflow but also adds durability, so the mattress can handle everyday use with ease.

Balanced Support for Pressure Relief: Side sleepers on our team particularly loved how the Vaya Hybrid cradled their shoulders and hips. It hits that sweet spot of contouring while keeping the spine in healthy alignment.

Why It Made the List

When we analyzed soft mattresses across various categories, the Vaya Hybrid consistently stood out for offering a plush, welcoming feel without the premium price tag. Our testers appreciated how it maintained a medium-soft surface that never felt too firm or too flimsy, a rare find in this price range.

When compared to other budget mattresses, the Vaya Hybrid’s blend of foam and coils gave it a clear edge. It offers that luxury of hybrid construction—responsive and breathable—without inching into high-end price territory.

How It Handles Everyday Use

When we evaluated the Vaya Hybrid for everyday comfort, it excelled in a few key areas. Motion isolation, for example, was surprisingly good for a hybrid mattress. If you share your bed, you’ll be glad to know that your partner’s movements won’t ripple across the surface and disrupt your sleep. Additionally, the edge support was better than expected, allowing the mattress to hold up well even if you tend to sit or sleep near the edges.

This mattress also caters to a variety of sleeping styles. While side sleepers will love its soft surface, back and combination sleepers may find it equally appealing because of its balanced support system.

Read Our Full Review of the Vaya Hybrid

Watch Our Helix Midnight Luxe Video Review

Side sleepers who prioritize comfort and support will find the Helix Midnight Luxe to be an exceptional choice. This premium hybrid mattress is meticulously engineered to cradle the body, relieving pressure points and promoting optimal spinal alignment.

We believe the Helix Midnight Luxe is a top choice for side sleepers because it offers a luxurious feel and a robust support system. Its plush top layer and supportive coil system work in tandem to provide a truly rejuvenating sleep experience.

Side Sleepers Love It For:

• Our testers found that the plush memory foam layers gently envelop the body, providing instant relief to pressure points on the shoulders and hips. We agree that this is especially beneficial for side sleepers who often experience discomfort in these areas.
• Beneath the plush comfort layer lies a sturdy core of individually wrapped coils. These coils work independently to offer targeted support to the spine, ensuring it stays aligned throughout the night.
• The advanced cooling technology incorporated into the mattress helps dissipate heat, preventing overheating and ensuring a restful night’s sleep.

Our Team’s Take:

After rigorous testing and analysis, our team of sleep experts has concluded that the Helix Midnight Luxe is an exceptional choice for side sleepers. Its luxurious feel, combined with its robust support system, makes it a top contender in the market. Whether you’re a light sleeper or a restless toss-and-turner, the Midnight Luxe is designed to provide the personalized comfort you deserve.

Read Our Full Review of the Helix Midnight Luxe

Read Our Full Review of the Zoma Start Mattress

Watch Our Vaya Mattress Video Review

The Vaya Mattress offers a high-quality, plush mattress at an affordable price. It features two foam layers to give you 12 inches of soft, breathable comfort.

This mattress is also great since it works well with most bed frames and foundations. You can place the Vaya Mattress on a box spring, solid foundation, slatted foundation, or on an adjustable bed.

You can purchase the Vaya Mattress on their website and have it delivered right to your door. It also comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year manufacturing warranty.

How Lying Down Feels

The original Vaya Mattress is technically rated as a medium, but many consumer reviewers noted how surprised they were by just how soft the surface feels. The thick top is quick to enfold a person’s curves and ease pressure, limiting the tension that can build up in the body.

Vaya Sleep also offers another type of bed for people wanting some bounce and breathability at night, the Vaya Hybrid. It has a similar feel to the Vaya Mattress but contains pocketed coils instead of support foam. See our Vaya mattress review for a more thorough overview of that option and the brand overall.

While some customers have some minor issies with the Vaya, a soft mattress is not one of them. Here is what customers had to say:

Mary B: Excellent. Soft top, firm under that. Regular foam as opposed to memory foam doesn’t let me sink all the way down to firm layer. I’m 140, someone over 200 might have different experience. Very comfortable bed.

Misty A: We’ve had our hybrid Vaya for 3 years. It’s fantastic. I sleep hot and I am very comfortable. Soft and supportive at the same time. It’s like the Goldilocks of mattresses. It’s just right. Perfection.

Sherrie: I purchased the Vaya Hybrid to replace the mattress that came with our new RV. It’s the perfect combination of softness and support. My husband and I are both sleeping beautifully!

Inside the Mattress

The top layer of Vaya Comfort Foam contours to the body to give pressure-free support that won’t trap heat. This layer provides cushioning to sensitive areas such as the shoulders and hips, but it also has a slight bounce to prevent you from sinking too far into the mattress.

The second layer of foam supports your body weight and keeps your spine in a neutral position. This layer is durable and helps the mattress maintain its shape. Both layers of the foam come with a CertiPUR-US certification, ensuring they are low in VOCs and safe to bring indoors.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Adjustable Beds

Watch Our Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress Video Review

Those who want an incredible cooling hybrid designed to maximize airflow and thermal conductivity all at once should check out the Nolah Evolution 15. This luxurious hybrid combines many different cooling technologies to create a pleasantly chilly feel and regulate its temperature all night.

Nolah’s mattresses come with a lifetime warranty and a 120-night sleep trial.

How Lying Down Feels

This mattress is built for cooling, and that’s what it delivers. You’ll notice its cool-touch feel even by just putting a hand on its surface.

Once you lie down, however, you’ll notice that cool feel doesn’t go away. This is because the Evolution works hard to push hot air out and pull cool air in to prevent overheating for extended periods.

Reviewers are quite happy with the Nolah Evolution 15. However, more than one were hoping for it to be softer than it is. Here are some reviewers thoughts on the softness of the mattress:

Amelia F: I really wanted to love this mattress, especially after seeing all of the amazing reviews, but unfortunately it is just too firm. I’ve had it for about a month and a half now and it doesn’t seem to be softening much at all.

Hannah: After almost one year of sleeping on this mattress, my husband and I are still talking about how much we love it. We both are combo sleepers and feel it’s the perfect balance between soft and firm.

Blake K: This one is nice because it’s firm enough from the coils for support while also being soft enough for comfort. I prefer firm, so I’m surprised this luxury firm, a 6 on a scale of 10, is perfect.

Inside the Mattress

The first layer of the Evolution is its premium HTCTM cooling quilted Euro-top wrapped in an ArcticTexTM cover to get that cool-touch feel that hot sleepers love. The AirBreathTM heat escape gusset rests underneath the cooling cover and topper to ensure that cool-touch feeling doesn’t dissipate as the night wears on.

The AirFoamICETM comfort layer helps pull body heat down into the mattress and away from you, thanks to its highly thermoconductive graphite infusions.

Next up, you have two layers of high-density and high-resilience transition foam that help protect you from the supportive coils below as well as increase the buoyancy of the layers above.

Finally, the HDMaxTM Tri-ZoneTM coils offer 25 percent more lift than regular coil systems to help keep you from sinking into the bed. These coils are also arranged into three different zones to ensure each zone of your body gets the ideal balance of support and pressure relief for its specific needs.

SEE ALSO: Hot Sleepers vs Cold Sleepers

Watch Our Saatva Classic Mattress Video Review

The Saatva Classic puts a new spin on the classic innerspring design to create an innerspring hybrid that fixes many of the problems sleepers complain about with traditional innerspring mattresses, like their inability to contour and their lack of pressure relief.

How Lying Down Feels

When you lie down on the Saatva Classic, you’ll notice it does indeed retain the bounciness of a traditional innerspring bed. This is thanks to the open coil support layer at the bottom of the mattress. This layer ensures you don’t have to sacrifice bounce to get contouring.

However, you’ll notice that the Classic doesn’t transfer motion like a traditional innerspring. This is due to the top support layer of pocketed coils that absorb motion so that the bed only bounces back underneath you without sending waves of motion all over the bed.

Another wonderful thing about the Saatva Classic is its enhanced lumbar support. This support goes all the way through the mattress to ensure the heavier parts of your body don’t sink. That can help relieve all kinds of back pain by keeping the spine aligned.

People who choose the plush soft Saatva Mattress have no complaints for the most part. Out of thousands of reviews, it is hard to find firmness complaints. Here are just a few:

Viva: We have been on our goldilocks search for a just right mattress for so long! The plush soft is definitely the one. For a side and back sleeper, this mattress is perfect. I wake up with no aches and pains and feel well rested. Finally!

Craig N: We received out mattress (classic, plush soft) a few days ago and we couldn’t more thrilled with our purchase. The entire process was extremely smooth – from the initial order to the timely delivery, we would highly recommend Saatva.

Amy P: I am terrified of a mattress that is too soft or feels like you’re rolling off the edges. I also hate waking up with shoulder pain (which was happening often on other beds). So this is another review recommending the Plush Soft if you like soft/medium!!

Inside the Mattress

The first layer of the Classic is the luxurious quilted Euro top. This three-inch-thick topper offers tons of pressure relief as well as quilting to offer more support to the middle of your body where you need it most.

The memory foam layer underneath the cushioning topper offers tons of extra back support to keep you lifted onto the bed.

The first support layer is made of pocketed coils. This layer offers the adaptability and motion control of a hybrid. The second support layer consists of open coils. This is the layer that preserves the bounce and breathability of the traditional innerspring mattress.

SEE ALSO: Pillow Top vs. Innerspring Mattress

Watch Our Ghostbed Luxe Mattress Video Review

Sleepers who want an all-foam mattress that won’t leave them sweating it out all night should consider the GhostBed Luxe. This is one of the most cooling mattresses on the market because it’s stuffed with temperature regulating technology. It can keep you cool as a cucumber for hours on end, even without coils!

How Lying Down Feels

Lying down on this cooling memory foam mattress offers an immediate pleasant chilliness thanks to the multiple cooling technologies present in its cover. And thanks to the cooling technologies present underneath, that cool feeling will last throughout your entire sleep cycle, night after night!

This memory foam mattress is also ultra-contouring. So it relieves pressure in all your most sensitive areas. But due to the ultra-high-density support core, you don’t have to worry about sinkage or sagging at all.

The softness level of the GhostBed gets mixed reviews. Some say too soft, others say not soft enough, but none that we found felt this was a major issue:

Christopher K: Felt good falling asleep but woke up with difficulty to move around due to bed was to soft.

Lanay C: Bed itself is ok. Not as soft as I hoped. The upper massage quit the first day on husbands side. I sent them an email but no one has gotten back with me and it’s been about a month, so not happy with that.

Teo D: We chose a GhostBed Luce because our last memory foam mattress was too hot for me. It was 15 years old so it was time. The Luxe exceeded our expectations. It’s soft but supportive.

Inside the Mattress

The first layer of the GhostBed Luxe is the cooling cover. This cover features three layers of its own. The Ghost Ice fabric comes first, and it offers an instant cool-touch feel. The layers of gel memory foam and cool burst fibers sewn directly into the cover help ensure this cool-touch feel lasts all night.

The next layer is the Ghost Ice layer. Developed by sleep scientists, this layer helps transfer heat to the next layer to keep it moving away from your body. The gel memory foam layer directly underneath the Ghost Ice layer helps push the heat even further down and away from you. It also offers superior contouring for fantastic pressure relief.

Underneath these cooling layers, you’ll find the Ghost Bounce layer. This layer helps increase responsiveness in the mattress, so it can fight body impressions and slow response time.

Finally, the high-density support layer offers lots of lift to ensure you don’t sink into all the plush layers above. It also ensures the Luxe will resist aging and sagging for a full 25 years.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress That Won’t Sag

Those looking for an unbelievably soft mattress that can still stand up to sinkage should consider the Helix Sunset Luxe. This mattress feels like sleeping on plush cotton candy. But it won’t sag or let your body sink into the sleep surface. It can also fight overheating even though it has a soft feel.

How Lying Down Feels

You’ll notice the plush feel of this mattress as soon as you lie down. The soft layers cradle your pressure points and relieve pain all over your body. This is perfect for sleepers who need extra cushioning (like side sleepers and lightweight sleepers).

Don’t let the soft feel fool you, though. The Sunset Luxe can still keep you lifted onto the surface of the bed, thanks to its high-density comfort layer. It also fights the overheating common in softer mattresses using a combination of breathable coils and cooling cover options.

Most people are happy with the Sunset Luxe. The minority of reviewers were looking for something more soft, but are overall satisfied with this mattress:

Nicolas M: Very soft, great for side sleeping. Very happy with quality so far.

Watch Our Brooklyn Bedding Mattress Video Review

Those looking for a mattress that can fight allergies as well as overheating should take a look at the Aurora Hybrid by Brooklyn Bedding. It’s available in three firmnesses, including a soft option.

This mattress features copper infusions to fight heat buildup. The copper also creates a hostile environment for many common microbes that trigger allergy symptoms.

How Lying Down Feels

The copper infusions in the comfort layer make this soft bed feel cool to the touch. You can expect it to stay that way all night due to the copper’s thermal conductivity.

The soft feel is also one of the best features of this mattress. The Aurora’s multiple foam layers work with its highly adaptive AscensionTM coils to contour to your body like just about no other mattress can.

People looking for a soft mattress have overall been less than happy with the firmness level, with several reviewers hoping for more:

Carlos S: Great price, stays temperature neutral. Stays more in the firm side, I got the soft version.

Molly L: I don’t love the mattress, but that is my own fault. We should have ordered the softer top version. The medium firmness just isn’t quite soft enough. It definitely keeps me cooler than my previous memory foam mattress.

Zach I: Seems to be a nice bed but is not soft/conforming enough for me as a very lightweight side sleeper.

Inside the Mattress

The first layer of this luxurious mattress is CopperFlexTM foam with TitanCoolTM infusions. This comfort layer fights everything from mold to bacteria to dust mites. This can help sleepers with allergies stay symptom-free.

The next layer is soft TitanFlexTM foam that helps offer the ultimate contoured pressure relief without losing responsiveness. Underneath, a layer of gel swirl memory foam increases pressure relief and helps pull body heat further into the mattress.

Finally, the AscensionTM coil support layer offers enhanced adaptability over many other coil systems. This means pressure relief and contouring run through the whole mattress, from cover to base layer.

SEE ALSO:Best Mattresses for Allergies

If you want a hypoallergenic mattress made to the highest quality standards so that it will last a lifetime, check out the Puffy Lux Hybrid. This mattress offers fantastic quality, multiple layers of foam, and pocketed coils that bounce back underneath your body as soon as you move.

How Lying Down Feels

The Puffy Lux’s six-layer hybrid system was developed to deliver the optimal mix of airflow and pressure relief. That means it’ll keep you cradled and pain-free without sacrificing temperature control.

This medium-feel mattress also offers an equal balance between pressure relief and support. This balance provides the most versatile sleep surface. So it can accommodate the highest number of sleep positions and body types. This makes the Puffy Lux a solid option for couples looking for a compromise.

Puffy gets rave reviews for the soft mattress properties. Here is what some had to say:

T.U.: The comforter is soft and just the right weight. I am so very happy with my Puffy purchases. I highly recommend.

C.: The Puffy Lux is very soft and luxurious like my old mattress but offers the support my husband’s back needs. Plus, my husband shifts a lot during the night and I barely feel him moving around anymore!! We are both very happy with the Puffy Lux and going to purchase another soon for our guest bedroom

Linda: This is the best mattress I’ve ever owned, hands down. If you have back issues and are a side or stomach sleeper, this is truly the best mattress for you. At first I thought it woukd be too soft…but NO!!! it’s perfect

Inside the Mattress

The Puffy Lux starts off with the hypoallergenic and stain-resistant top cover that keeps your mattress fresh and clean for a lifetime.

Next, a layer of gel-infused Cooling CloudTM foam helps pull your body heat away and keep the mattress breathing underneath you. Then, layers of plush Dual Cloud and Climate ComfortTM foams ensure your mattress can relieve pressure and fight moisture buildup all at once.

After the foam layers, you’ll find a support core of contour-adapt pocketed coils that help keep your spine supported and in healthy alignment all night. These coils are surrounded by advanced edge support rails to increase durability – which is why the Puffy Lux comes with a lifetime warranty!

SEE ALSO: Best Mattresses With A Warranty

If you want an amazing plush mattress that offers tons of pressure relief and support at an even more amazing price, consider the soft side of the Layla Mattress. This mattress boasts flippable firmness with fantastic pressure relief on its soft side, not to mention its copper infusions that fight microbes as well as heat buildup.

How Lying Down Feels

The Layla is a pure memory foam mattress, so it provides unbeatable contouring. This ultra-soft mattress feels like sleeping on a fluffy cloud. It hugs your body to offer relief for tired joints and protect sensitive pressure points from pain.

However, despite its soft feel, the Layla doesn’t allow heat buildup. This is thanks to its copper infusions. The copper particles in the foam help pull heat away from your body and fight microbes to boot.

The Layla has a reputation for being a soft mattress for even the pickiest soft mattress seekers. Here are some reviews:

Melissa H: I LOVE this mattress. The soft side is perfect. I’m a side sleeper so this helps to relieve pressure from my hips while still supporting my back. 

Emily R: It’s so hard to find a soft mattress. Many mattresses claim to be soft but are still very firm. This mattress is unbelievably soft and is the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on.

Alexandra S: Was a little firm at first, but after only a week it softened and felt so incredibly nice.

Inside the Mattress

The Layla starts off with a cooling cover that offers reactive cooling that works with your body temperature. The hotter you get, the harder it works. It’s also zippered for easy removal and washing.

Next, you’ll find a layer of soft copper-gel memory foam. This foam offers variable support for deeper compression in areas that need it. And its copper infusions pull heat away from your body and create a hostile environment that keeps microbe growth to a minimum.

Underneath the comfort layer, you’ll find a layer of Max Airflow support foam. This foam offers deep channels for maximum cooling. It also helps increase buoyancy on the surface of the mattress.

The support core foam comes next. This foam creates maximum motion transfer control. It also minimizes bounce and ensures this mattress fights sagging and soft spot development for a lifetime. If it sags more than an inch the whole time you have the mattress, you’re covered.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Guest Room

Watch Our Nest Bedding Sparrow Mattress Video Review

Nest Bedding’s Sparrow Signature Hybrid is one of the few hybrid mattress-in-a-box options on the market. The mattress comes in three firmness options, plush (soft), medium, or firm. If you’re nervous about ordering, the company offers a 365-night trial.

How Lying Down Feels

The plush option is ultra-cozy and loved by soft mattresses, as backed by countless reviewers. The plush is the bounciest option available. It’s still supportive but is ultra cushiony for side sleepers.

One great thing about the Sparrow is people who chose both the medium and soft versions of this mattress are satisfied with the softness. Here is what some reviewers had to say:

Karen R: This is a very comfortable mattress. My husband and I are both side-sleepers, so we bought the soft/plush firmness. We are very pleased with our purchase.

Benjamin S: This mattress change my sleep quality completely, I have back problems and this with his springs and medium softness on top I can sleep comfortably and back pain have got way better. Definitely recommend .

Christina C: This is the best mattress that I have ever slept on. We ordered the plush, which I thought may be too soft for my 220lb husband, but we both sleep like rocks every single night on it and have no more back pain.

Inside the Mattress

Nest Bedding designed the Sparrow Signature Hybrid with a zippered top so if you decide you want a different firmness or your current comfort layer is worn down, you can easily replace it.

The top layer is an inch of 4-pound gel-infused memory foam and super soft thermic phase-change fabric. Then there are 3 pounds of SmartFlow support foam followed by 3 inches of Energex™ foam, which provides coolness and comfort.

Next, there are 6 inches of quantum edge pocketed support coils. At the base, find 3 pounds of support foam.

SEE ALSO: Best Mail Order Mattresses of 2024

Best Soft Mattress Comparisons And Highlights

Types of Soft Mattresses

The most popular mattress types on the market today are innerspring and memory foam. There are also choices like latex and hybrid beds. There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these types.

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses use multiple coils to offer support, which are topped with an array of materials for added comfort.

For soft mattress lovers, this is typically a pillow-top cover.

Experts warn to steer clear of the cheapest innerspring mattresses, which lack enough coils for support.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses have been exploding in popularity in recent years. They are designed to mold to your body throughout the night to reduce pressure points. They also absorb movement so co-sleepers don’t notice their partners shifting throughout the night. If you have a hard time getting comfortable or suffer from chronic pain, a memory foam mattress might be the solution. Memory foam is also great if you love a cozy, cradled feeling during sleep.

One of the concerns about memory foam is they can have off-gassing, which is the chemical, new-mattress smell when you unload the box. With inexpensive foam, the smell may not dissipate. Keep an eye on brands that offer greener varieties of memory foam as they won’t have this stinky issue.

Another complaint is that memory foam can trap heat. Newer mattresses are introducing open-cell and plant-based technology to combat this problem.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress Recommended By Chiropractors

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are an eco-friendly option since it is made from an entirely natural material. To enjoy the all-natural aspect, you’ll want to make sure the mattress is 100% latex, and not mixed with other fillers. The feeling is similar to memory foam and its body-conforming properties. Latex mattresses are a great option for anyone with allergy and asthma issues.

On the other hand, latex mattresses are one of the more expensive options. The material is also very heavy, so make sure you have someone around to unload it. To prolong its life, your latex mattress should be rotated or flipped every six months.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses are somewhere in between innerspring and foam. The foam layers can be made up of memory foam or latex. They are designed to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to bounce-back and support.

Hybrid mattresses may not be the best if you share a bed, however. Due to this extra bounce, they aren’t great at motion isolation, and you might feel more movement throughout the night. Hybrids too are one of the pricier options on the market.

SEE ALSO: Best 10 Inch Mattress

Difference Between a Firm and Soft Mattress

It may seem obvious, but the difference between soft and firm mattresses is a little more complicated than you think. Most mattress companies have a firmness scale between 1 and 10. Soft mattresses are typically between 3 and 5, with firm mattresses coming in above 7. Meaning, a 1/10 firmness is too soft for even the squishiest mattress lover. Pillow top mattresses, for example, are too soft and don’t offer ample support.

A firm mattress will be rigid to the touch with less give, while a soft mattress will compress easier when weight is applied. But even the softest mattress shouldn’t swallow you up or make you feel like you’re stuck. You’ll want bounce-back because when you move around in the night, the bed should still support you. Be sure to read reviews about support and pressure relief before buying the softest mattress you can find.

See Also: Best Mattress of 2024

Who Should Use a Soft Mattress

The best mattress firmness varies by each person’s body type, lifestyle, sleeping position, and personal preference. Soft mattresses are best for people under 230 pounds. They may not be supportive enough for people over 230 pounds.

If you have back pain, a firm mattress can actually make you feel worse. Soft mattresses are recommended for sleepers with pre-existing spinal issues.

Do you run cold? Soft mattresses offer more warmth, so they’re great for cold sleepers or older people who tend to have lower body temperatures. Side sleepers will also be most comfortable on a softer mattress. More cushion will better contour to hips, shoulders, and neck if you sleep on your side. Because those who suffer from sleep apnea should sleep on their side, a soft mattress can be beneficial.

SEE ALSO: Most Comfortable Mattress to Buy

Who Should Avoid a Soft Mattress

Stomach and back sleepers will find firm mattresses offer improved support. Co-sleepers may also want more firmness. If one sleeper is heavier than the other and the mattress is too soft, it may cause the bed to be uneven and affect one or both of the sleeper’s comfort.

Your soft mattress may not last as long as a firmer model, so avoid this choice if you’re looking for the longest possible amount of time out of a mattress. While all mattresses become softer overtime, softer mattresses tend to show the effects sooner.

Choosing the Right Mattress Size

Saving on Soft Mattresses

Because of their thick, cushioning materials, soft mattresses can cost a not-insignificant amount. Interested shoppers can save by considering the best times to buy a mattress:

• Best Presidents Day Mattress Sales
• Best Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• Best 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Best Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Best Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Best Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Best Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

Mattress sales are also good times to buy other high-ticket items, like adjustable beds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a soft plush mattress or firm mattress best for me?

Choosing between a soft and plush mattress or a firm mattress comes down to your sleeping position and body type.

Soft and plush mattresses are suitable for side sleepers, some combination sleepers, and petite sleepers since the thick comfort layers relieve pressure. Conversely, firm mattresses work best for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and plus-sized sleepers as they all benefit from the extra support.

Who are soft mattresses good for?

Softer mattresses are typically loved by side sleepers because they can alleviate pressure and pain in the shoulders and hips. Some back sleepers also enjoy the feel of a cushioning bed, but stomach sleepers need very firm mattresses to feel comfortable.

What’s the softest mattress type?

All mattress types are made in a variety of firmness options, but memory foam beds are typically considered the softest for their cradling feel. Latex mattresses are more responsive, so they tend to have a firmer feel than memory foam, and beds with coils are very bouncy.

How do I know if my mattress is too soft?

Your mattress should be firm enough to keep you lifted and maintain neutral spinal alignment. You can tell if your bed is too soft if you feel your hips sinking below your torso, you wake up with lower back pain or stiffness, or you struggle to get comfortable at night. Soft mattresses with zoned support technologies can prevent this kind of discomfort and facilitate neutral spinal alignment.

Are soft beds good for your back?

Not necessarily, many of the best mattresses for back pain have a medium-firm or medium feel because these beds can maintain proper sleeping postures and prevent aches and pains from forming as a result of sinking too far in the bed. That’s not to say soft mattresses are bad for your back, though—petite sleepers often find soft mattresses very comfortable and don’t experience any back pain with them.

Sweet Dreams, Soft Mattress Lovers

There’s a common misconception that anyone with lower back pain should pick a firm mattress. But if you love the sinking feeling of a soft mattress, don’t worry. The best options on the market offer impressive contouring and pressure relief.

If you’re shopping for budget mattresses, the type of mattress you choose will also have an effect. All-foam mattresses can offer impressive support and spinal alignment, making them a great option for those looking for affordable yet comfortable sleep. Many budget mattresses combine several support layers so you can still have a plush, cozy feeling you like without getting stuck in your mattress.

It can be tempting to choose a pillow top for a cloud-like feeling like you would find in a hotel mattress, but it may not be supportive enough for larger people. Do your research to find the right combination for your body weight and sleep style.