Best Soft Mattresses

Mattress Nerd consulted Dr. Tom Ingegno to ensure that this article met our editorial standards

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With thousands of soft mattresses available today, choosing the one that’s perfect for you can present a challenge. There are many questions to be asked. Will it be soft enough? Will it be too soft? Will it sag excessively? Which mattress firmness level is right for me? Can it support my body weight and have a plush feel at the same time? What’s best for my sleeping position? In this guide, we’re sharing our top picks for the best soft & plush mattresses, why we love them, and who they are best for! 

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The Best Soft Mattresses

• Saatva Classic – Nerd’s Pick
• DreamCloud Premier Rest – Best Soft Luxury Mattress
• Nectar Premier Copper – Best Soft Mattress for Hot Sleepers
• WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Medium-Soft Mattress
• Helix Sunset – Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature – Best Soft Mattress for Combination Sleepers
• Puffy Royal Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Couples
• Nolah Signature – Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress
• Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Layla Memory Foam – Best Soft King-Size Mattress

Chosen by Experts and Advocates

At Mattress Nerd, our team of certified sleep science coaches considers a wide variety of factors when grading products. In the case of this list, we only considered mattresses that had a firmness level of 5.5/10 (medium-soft) or below. Once we determined if they were soft enough to qualify, we measured qualities such as pressure relief, edge support, and durability to ensure that the mattresses provided plenty of support despite their cloud-like feel. 

Some of the mattresses mentioned in this article come in multiple firmness options. In those cases, we are speaking specifically about the softest option available. Check out our full testing process to learn more.

Best Soft Mattresses Video

Saatva Classic – Nerd’s Pick

The concepts of soft and luxurious tend to go hand in hand, but we think it’s worth distinguishing them. Sure, all of the mattresses on this list are soft, and all of them are at least a little bit luxurious. But if we’re talking about the most luxurious soft mattress, we have to be talking about the plush version of the Saatva Classic.

Awarded the title of one of our top luxury mattresses, the Saatva Classic has a lot going for it. In fact, you can usually find it appearing on many more of our “Best Mattresses” lists. Clearly, Mattress Nerd has a lot of good things to say about the Saatva Classic. If you’re after high-quality sleep on a luxurious mattress, we think the Plush Soft version of the Saatva Classic can’t be beat.

Read our full Saatva Classic mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Saatva Classic mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for more great options. 

DreamCloud Premier Rest – Best Soft Luxury Mattress

The DreamCloud Premier Rest incorporates plush comfort foams and supportive coils in its construction. In addition to 4.5” of foam on top of the mattress, the Premier Rest has an extra 1” pillow top covered in Cashmere (yes, Cashmere) for an extra luxurious feel. We gave it a 4.5 out of 10 rating on our firmness scale, making it a soft mattress. 

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for you and your partner, the DreamCloud Premier Rest will fare well for both situations because it pairs luxurious comfort layers with 8.5” of durable, buoyant steel coils. This support layer keeps the spine aligned and can also elevate the weight of two sleepers over years of regular use. Plus, it allows for plenty of air circulation under the mattress, which is important for preventing body heat retention.  

To add to the top-tier experience, the Premier Rest mattress comes with a 365-night trial period and Lifetime warranty.

Read our full DreamCloud Premier Rest mattress review to learn more. For more luxury options, check out our best luxury mattress roundup for more mattress models.

Nectar Premier Copper – Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers

The Nectar Premier Copper is the softest model offered by the brand. With layer after layer of memory foam that keeps you comfortable and supported, expect a doughy, impressionable bed that closely contours to the curves of your body. One of our favorite parts about this mattress, however, is that it’s great for hot sleepers.

The cover is infused with cooling copper, and the top layer of memory foam is mixed with gel and copper, which both regulate temperature. Extra cooling technologies and lots of cushioning are what make this a luxury mattress. It costs more than the other Nectar mattresses, but it’s worthwhile for those looking for a high-end memory foam mattress that rivals Tempur-Pedic.

When you go to buy, enjoy free shipping and returns, a whole year trial period to try it out risk-free, and a lifetime warranty.

Check out our Nectar Premier Copper mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Layla mattress, check out our list of the best cooling mattresses for more great options.

WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Medium-Soft Mattress

The WinkBeds GravityLux is a memory foam mattress with cooling layers. The top layer is made with aerated, open-cell foam, which makes the bed very soft and draws heat away from the body.

People who love softer mattresses often face a challenge when it comes to finding a mattress that sleeps cool, considering most plush mattresses are either all-foam or contain memory foam, which tends to sleep warmer. Thought the GravityLux is also a foam mattress, the layers focus on keeping you cool. Along with the open-cell foam layer, the mattress cover is made with tencel and is infused with gel. As with all WinkBeds products, it comes with free shipping, a lifetime warranty, and a 120-night risk-free trial.

Read our full GravityLux mattress review or WinkBeds mattress reviews to learn more.

Helix Sunset – Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers

There is a common misconception that soft mattresses lack adequate support. That you can not both sink deeply into a cloud-like bed and also have an aligned spine and pressure relief. Well, Helix set out on a mission to prove that you really can have it all, and with the Sunset, they delivered. 

At a 5.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, this soft mattress offers all that’s needed for side sleepers, like a doughy, impressionable surface that contours the shoulders and hips, while also adding zoned support technology for spinal alignment, layers engineered specifically to relieve pressure, as well as cooling features to prevent heat retention throughout the night. If you love an extra soft bed, but are wondering if it is really a good long-term choice for you, we love the Helix Sunset as an option that’ll keep you comfortable, but will also stay durable for years. 

As for policies, Helix offers free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty for this model.

See our full Helix Sunset mattress review or Helix mattress reviews for more info. If you aren’t interested in the Layla mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers for more great options.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Combination Sleepers

The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid is an ideal mattress for combination sleepers who want to avoid feeling “stuck” in their bed.  Not only are the comfort and support foams highly responsive, but the pocketed coils at the base of the mattress are individually wrapped, adjusting to the slightest movements without causing motion to transfer across the mattress surface. 

Additionally, the Signature Hybrid is offered in three firmness levels—soft, medium, and firm—so you can choose the feel that best aligns with your primary sleeping positions (clearly we’re partial to the soft version). And, since it’s a hybrid mattress, you won’t have to worry about overheating from moving around while you sleep.

Read our full Brooklyn Signature mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Brooklyn Signature mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for combo sleepers for more great options.

Puffy Royal Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Couples

When buying a mattress to accommodate two sleepers, the biggest consideration needs to be motion isolation. This is a bed’s ability to stifle motion at the source so that the movement doesn’t transfer over to your partner’s side of the bed. With the Puffy Royal Hybrid, you get a construction that excels at motion isolation. Both the individually wrapped coils and and the thick foam layers at the top will keep any movements controlled and won’t wake up your partner in the middle of the night. This is great if you or who you sleep with tends to toss and turn or gets in and out of the bed at a different time. 

Overall, this bed is extremely soft, one of the softest beds we’ve ever come across at a 4 out of 10 on our firmness scale. It also has exceptional pressure relief, so if you’re looking to alleviate back pain with your mattress, this is a great option for that. 

When you go to buy, you’ll get free shipping, a 101-night sleep trial, and a Lifetime warranty.

Read our full review of the Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress to learn more about this model. Explore more options for couples on our best mattress for couples roundup.

Nolah Signature – Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress

The Nolah Signature is a memory foam mattress with a medium-soft feel (5/10). The Nolah’s foam construction can be thanked for its wonderful pressure relief and motion isolation, qualities that are important if you suffer from hip and shoulder pain or sleep with a partner, respectively. 

The Nolah Signature costs $1,599 for a Queen, which may seem a bit steep to you. However, the high-quality materials, thoughtful construction, and lifetime warranty certainly justify the cost. If you’re in the market for a soft memory foam mattress that does a great job of relieving pressure, then the Nolah Signature may be the mattress for you.

See our full Nolah Signature mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Nectar mattress, check out our list of the best memory foam mattresses for more great options.

Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Soft Mattress for Back Sleepers

The Bear Elite Hybrid offers an ideal combo of pressure relief and support for back sleepers. Generally, we recommend soft mattresses to side sleepers, but back sleepers need a blend of softness for comfort and support for spinal alignment. 

Enter: the Bear Elite Hybrid. This mattress has a balanced feel that’s cushioning enough to provide pressure relief to your lumbar region, while also being supportive enough to keep back sleepers’ spines aligned. This is thanks to its hybrid construction of cushioning memory foam and sturdy pocketed coils.

Check out our Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for back sleepers for more great options. 

Layla Sleep Mattress – Best Soft King-Size Mattress

Layla is a flippable mattress made with copper-infused memory foam. The mattress is double-sided, which allows sleepers to have two options within the same mattress. One side of the Layla is medium-soft, which gives sleepers some pressure-relieving, and the other side is firm which is better for support. 

The cover of the mattress will keep you cool if you tend to heat up at night, no matter which side you choose. If you are looking for a soft mattress, are a side sleeper and are light to average weight, the medium-soft side of the Layla will be good for you. If you are a heavier sleeper, the firm side of the mattress may still provide enough softness for your liking. The copper also kills bacteria naturally, helping to extend Layla’s lifespan.

Read our full Layla mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Layla mattress, check out our list of the best king-size mattresses for more great options.

What It Means for a Mattress to Be Soft

Mattress softness is subjective, but only to a point. It is true that what feels soft to you may feel firm to somebody else, but most mattress companies, as well as we here at Mattress Nerd, grade mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10. If a mattress falls under a 5/10 on that scale, then it is considered soft. If you think you’re someone who would prefer a soft mattress, take a look below at some factors to consider before you make any final decisions. 

Related: Soft vs. Firm Mattresses

Is a Soft Mattress Still Supportive? 

Firmness and support are two of the most important aspects to consider when mattress shopping, but they can be easily confused. While interrelated, they should be thought of separately. Most people assume that a mattress must be firm to provide support, but it’s possible to find a supportive mattress that meets your pressure relief needs while still feeling soft to the touch. 

Firmness refers to the feel of a mattress with regard to comfort. While every individual has a subjective definition of what soft and firm mean, the industry uses a scale of 1 to 10 in an attempt to objectify this quality, with one being extremely soft and 10 being extremely firm. To put it simply, firmness is the feeling you get when you first lie on the mattress. Check out some firm mattress options here.

Support refers to how well a mattress will support your spinal alignment and is not a subjective quality. In other words, when you’re lying in your preferred sleeping position, is your spine straight? Mattresses that feel hard to the touch can offer just as much pressure point relief and spinal support as a mattress that feels soft to the touch.

Other Things To Consider 

Spine Alignment

If you are someone who suffers from back pain, sinking into a soft mattress may sound like a dream to you. However, soft beds can actually cause your spine to rest out of alignment, especially for stomach and back sleepers. If you’re lightweight or primarily a side sleeper, this may not be an issue for you. If you do sleep on your back and are heavier than average, check out our best mattresses for back sleepers list.

Motion Transfer

If you sleep with a partner, pet, or child, you know that motion isolation is one of the most important factors when mattress shopping. Soft mattresses vary in their ability to suit couples but typically do well. If a mattress is too soft however, you may find yourself feeling stuck, making moving around more difficult, disturbing your partner on the other side of the bed. Trying to find a perfect mattress for you and your partner? Check out our Best Mattresses for Couples page.

Edge Support

Soft mattresses provide a plush, sinking feeling that many people find very comforting, but this can also result in a lack of edge support.

Edge support measures the perimeter of a bed’s ability to remain stable under your weight. This is an important quality if you like to sit on the edge of your bed, or spread out and take up a lot of surface area as you sleep. 

Though softer mattresses are prone to sinkage at the edges, a lot of companies specifically address this issue by adding sturdy blocks of foam around the interior perimeter of the bed. When shopping for your soft mattress, keep an eye out for this in mattress construction descriptions.  

Responsiveness

If you are a notably restless sleeper who switches positions frequently, then responsiveness is a key factor for you. High responsiveness is a quality that is usually associated with firmer mattresses. Basically, it is what allows you to switch positions easily and sink into new ones quickly. 

Since soft mattresses do allow for sinkage, getting cozy in a new position usually isn’t a problem, but switching out of it may be slightly more difficult than it would be on a different firmness. 

Materials

Foam

Latex

Innerspring

Hybrid

Are Soft Mattresses Good for Cooling?

It depends on several factors, the most important of which is the construction of the mattress. Soft mattresses are usually made with one or several foam layers, which is known to trap heat more than a type of mattress made exclusively with, say, natural latex or innersprings. 

That is not to say, however, that a soft mattress cannot be cool. Many companies incorporate high-quality gel memory foam into their mattresses, which helps to disperse body heat rather than store it. If you’re a hot sleeper who loves a soft mattress, make sure you keep an eye out for this material.

There are also ways to enhance the cooling abilities of your new mattress. Consider purchasing cooling sheets, or even one of our best cooling mattress toppers. The addition of these sleep accessories can make a world of difference when it comes to temperature regulation. Looking for more mattress options? Check out our Best Cooling Mattresses page.

Who is a Soft Mattress Best For? 

Shoppers often see the words “soft” or “comfortable” and allow this advertising to heavily influence their choice. After all, phrases like “sleeping on a cloud” are often associated with deep REM sleep, which is necessary in getting the amount of sleep that you need. However, many buyers find that soft mattresses are actually too soft, failing to provide the support they need. Here’s who should sleep on a soft mattress:

Side Sleepers

This sleeping position creates pressure points at the hips and shoulders, and a soft mattress will alleviate pain in these areas with contour. Aim for a firmness level in the 4 to 5 range. A soft bed can also help alleviate numbness and tingling inside sleepers’ arms, which can get tucked beneath the body in this sleeping position. Our best mattresses for side sleepers can provide some more information on this topic.

Lightweight Sleepers

When it comes to lightweight sleepers, it’s helpful to think of taking the firmness scale needs of an average sleeper and knocking them down a few levels. People with a lower body weight won’t sink into a firm mattress, so soft mattresses can provide the comfort and pressure relief they desire. We recommend mattress firmnesses of 1 to 5 for lightweight sleepers. 

Couples

If you or your sleep partner tosses and turners throughout the night, then one of you has likely experienced the frustration that comes with being woken up by someone else’s movements. Of all the firmness options, soft mattresses are apt to absorb movements rather than allowing them to spread across the surface—making for a sounder night sleep for you and your partner. Check out our list of some of the best mattresses for couples.

Who Should Avoid a Soft Mattress?

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers represent the smallest percentage of sleepers in the country, and they require a rather unique set-up in order to achieve the healthiest sleep. In order to keep their hips from sinking too much and throwing their spines out of alignment, stomach sleepers need a sturdy, firm mattress—typically made with a layer of coils or a base layer of high-density support foam. 

If you sleep on your stomach, we recommend something firmer than the soft mattresses included on this list. Take a look at our best mattresses for stomach sleepers to see some of our favorites.

Big & Tall Sleepers

The opposite of lightweight sleepers, heavyweight, and naturally larger-bodied individuals may feel swallowed and unsupported by a mattress that’s too soft. We recommend knocking up the firmness scale for this body type, with better firmnesses found in the 7 to 10 range. The larger you are, the thicker and more firm your mattress will need to be in order to provide deep compression support.  Check out our Best Mattresses for Heavy People for more options.

Individuals with Lower Back Pain

On a very soft mattress, the spine can become misaligned and cause parts of the body, especially the low back and neck, to sink down. This is why we generally don’t recommend mattresses on the very soft side of the firmness scale to individuals struggling with low back pain. Medium-firm or firm mattresses will better suit these sleepers, as you can see in our best mattresses for back pain roundup.

Accessories for Soft Mattresses 

Mattress Toppers 

Typically, if you are shopping specifically for a soft mattress you may not need a mattress topper. However, a topper could be useful if you like a softer mattress but need a firmer base for spinal support. You can find great mattress toppers that are available as pillow-top additions, filled with down feathers, constructed with memory foam, and various other versions. 

Pillows 

If you are looking for a lofty, fluffy pillow to compliment your new soft mattress you may want to reconsider. Since you will already be deeper into your mattress, you will likely want a lower soft, soft pillow. Avoid anything too firm or overly fluffy. 

Related: Best Pillows

Benefits of Sleeping On A Soft Mattresses 

They’re soft, comfortable, and luxurious to the touch, which makes you look forward to curling up in bed every evening. When made with high-quality materials, they provide an almost hotel-like feel, and what’s not to love about that?

Like we’ve mentioned, soft mattresses are helpful for aligning the spine of side sleepers, especially average and lightweight individuals. The give of the top layers in these mattresses allows the shoulders and hips adequate relief to be able to relax in this position without sinking down too much. Most people sleeping on their sides, which is a rather large percentage of the population, will find relief in a soft or medium-soft bed, depending on their weight.

Soft mattresses can help with general back pain, and are especially good mattresses for seniors who experience joint problems. The sweet spot here will be finding a mattress that’s adequately supportive, keeping your spine in a neutral position, with a softness that feels good to you. Those with back pain who want a mattress on the soft side should ensure the materials used are durable, as some soft mattresses break down more quickly over time, causing uncomfortable sinkage and improper spinal alignment. For further help in your shopping process, visit our mattress buying guide.

Shopping for Mattresses Online

The concept of online shopping has been around for a while now, but there are so many factors to consider when making the right mattress purchase it can be difficult to know what’s best for your individual needs. Have no fear! Here’s everything you need to know.

Online vs In-Store

Department stores, retail stores, and plain old mattress stores are all great options for purchasing a mattress in person. Especially when it comes to a mattress store, you easily have your questions answered and find expert advice from a knowledgable salesman. There are also opportunities to try out the mattress in-store so you can make sure the feel works for you.

While there are a number of perks to buying in-store, there are many others that come with online shopping. You can choose from any and all brands that ship to your home rather than those that are on display in a store. Even better, warranties and sleep trials are there to help protect your mattress purchase.

Related: Should You Buy a Mattress Online or In-Store?

Warranties

Warranties are an extremely important consideration. They can tell a bit about a company’s confidence in its product, guaranteeing buyers they won’t have to buy another mattress if they find any defects. Because of this, we suggest finding a mattress with a lengthy warranty. It’s also important to keep in mind that each company’s policy is different, so we recommend reading the fine print before making a purchase dependent on a warranty.

Related: What is a Mattress Warranty?

Sleep Trials

Sleep trials are crucial for online shopping. The sleep trial allows you to test a mattress out for free and ensure it fits your preferences and needs. Like warranties, every company has a different sleep trial policy, and we do recommend you select a longer trial period so you have sufficient time to return the mattress if needed.

Related: What is a Sleep Trial?

Shipping and Returns

As with warranties and sleep trials, it’s important to check a company’s individual policies for shipping and returns. Some companies have free shipping and returns, others don’t. Additionally, it’s important to make sure the company you’re purchasing a bed from actually ships to your state or country. If you’re wanting to avoid setting up your mattress, find a bed that comes with an option for white-glove delivery.

Related: Best Online Mattress

Finding Deals

A great mattress can make for an incredible long-term investment, but looking at the cost of a mattress is intimidating. Here are some tips on how to navigate discounts, holiday sales, and everything in between.

The Best Times to Buy a Mattress

Holiday sales make for some of the best times to buy a mattress. President’s Day (February), Memorial Day (May), Labor Day (September), Cyber 5 (Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday), and Christmas are where some of the best mattress deals take place.

Searching for Coupons

Let us help you with that! We’ve got a page entirely dedicated to the best mattress deals of 2023.

Utilizing Our Mattress Roundups and Reviews

We’ve tested many, many different mattresses in order to help you get the best night’s sleep possible. In our reviews and roundups, you can easily compare prices of models and search for options that get you the best mattress for the money. For more, check out our articles on the best affordable mattresses as well as the best mattresses under $1,000.

FAQ

Recap of the Top Rated Soft Mattresses of 2021

Mattress	Award
Saatva Classic	Nerd’s Pick
DreamCloud Premier Rest	Best Soft Luxury Mattress
Nectar Premier Copper	Best for Hot Sleepers
WinkBeds GravityLux	Best Medium-Soft Mattress
Helix Sunset	Best for Side Sleepers
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid	Best for Combination Sleepers
Puffy Royal Hybrid	Best Soft Mattress for Couples
Nolah Signature	Best Soft Memory Foam Mattress
Bear Elite Hybrid	Best Soft Mattress for Back Sleepers
Layla Memory Foam	Best Soft King-Size Mattress

Dr. Tom Ingegno is part of our panel of medical expert contributors on the subject of sleep health. They provide important perspectives on the topics we discuss to help make our content as accurate and dependable as possible. They do not personally endorse any products, nor are they associated with any brands featured in our review content.