Best Soft Mattress

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Best Soft Mattress - Top Picks

1.) Saatva - Best Luxury Mattress

The Saatva is our pick for the best soft hybrid mattress. Composed from 5 different premium layers including an innerspring mattress coil on coil construction, memory foam, and a euro-top, the Saatva provides excellent spinal alignment, durability, and joint and back support. It is overall one of the best hybrid mattresses.

Saatva offers three firmness levels: plush soft, luxury firm. The plush soft if a 3/10, the luxury firm is a 6/10 and the most popular, and the firm is an 8/10. With a variety of firmness levels to choose from, the Saatva mattress works for a broad range of sleep firmness preferences.

For those looking for a luxury mattress, Saatva offers white-glove service, as well as a standard 180 day trial period and 15-year limited warranty.

Learn more in our Saatva mattress review.

2.) Puffy Lux - Best for Side Sleepers

The Puffy Lux is the best mattress for side sleepers due to its outstanding pressure relief and cooling qualities. Thanks to Puffy’s specialized Cloud gel memory foam, this mattress works to conform to your body, support pressure points, and prevent heat retention to keep sleepers cool. It’s as close to sleeping on an actual cloud as you can get.

Read more in our Puffy Lux mattress review.

3.) Casper Original - Best for Combination Sleepers

The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress designed with three support zones that cushion pressure points such as the shoulders and hips. No matter what your preferred sleeping position is, Casper works to keep your spine aligned and body cushioned with its support foam layers. These layers are also designed to absorb excess body heat to keep you sleeping cool.

Find out more in our Casper mattress review.

4.) Zenhaven - Best Latex Mattress

The Zenhaven is another excellent soft mattress by the well-regarded brand Saatva. This double-sided all-natural latex mattress provides superior responsiveness and motion control. Each side is a different firmness level: gentle firm and luxury plush

The Zenhaven is made of three all-natural latex layers with an organic cotton cover. Nearly 100% organic, the gentle-rim top layer has “pinholes” of various sizes throughout the layer providing different densities. This promotes stable spine alignment and pressure release as needed.

Learn more in our Zenhaven Mattress Review.

5.) Brooklyn Aurora - Best Hybrid Mattress

The Brooklyn Aurora is a luxury hybrid mattress by Brooklyn Bedding. One of Mattress Advisor’s highest-ranking mattresses, the Brooklyn Aurora is also considered one of the best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers. The top layer is a Copper Gel Energex foam infused with TitanCool beads that regulate body temperature. After weeks of use, the mattress was still cool to the touch.

The Aurora offers three firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. Soft is a 3/10 and best suited for those who want the softest option. Medium is 5/10 and works well for those looking for something with a bit more firmness. The Firm option is a 7/10.

The Aurora also has a 120-day trial period and a 10-year warranty, which means you’ll have plenty of time to try out your new bed and make sure it’s a mattress you love.

Learn more in our Brooklyn Aurora mattress review.

6.) Layla - Best Mattress for Pain Relief

The Layla is a unique flippable memory foam mattress with a copper infusion. The copper infusion helps to reduce joint inflammation, relieve back pain and joint pain. It is an excellent option for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Copper also naturally kills bacteria, helping to extend the life of your Layla mattress.

Related: The best memory foam mattresses

For those who can’t decide between a soft or firm mattress, the Layla is a great option, as you can flip the mattress to the preferred side. One side is medium-soft, providing more pressure relief, while the firmer side offers better support.

Layla comes with a 120-night trial period and lifetime warranty.

Learn more in our Layla mattress review.

7.) Helix Sunset - Best Cooling Mattress

Helix is one of the online mattress companies, specializing in custom mattresses to fit every sleeper’s needs. The Helix Sunset is their premier soft mattress, designed with temperature regulation in mind. The Sunset’s coil system and polyfoam layers promote airflow, making it one of the best cooling mattresses.

Get more information in our full Helix mattress review.

8.) Tuft & Needle Mint - Best Cheap Mattress

The Mint is Tuft & Needle’s advanced mattress model. With superior rankings in spinal alignment, pressure relief, edge support, and motion isolation, the Tuft & Needle Mint mattress is our pick for the best cheap soft mattress.

The top foam layer is made with 30% more heat-wicking graphite than the original Tuft & Needle, making it one of the best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers. Ranking 5/10 on the firmness scale, the Mint is a medium-firm mattress providing pressure relief as well as support—both important factors in getting a healthy night’s sleep.

Moderately priced with a 100 day trial period and 10-year warranty, the Tuft & Needle Mint is an excellent choice for most individuals looking to purchase a soft mattress on a budget.

Learn more in our Tuft & Needle Mint mattress review.

Compare the Best Mattresses

Curious to know if the hybrid mattress type is the right option for you? Or just looking to determine which of these hybrids is best-suited to meet your needs? Here’s a quick overview of key product information.

Mattress Name	Quick Overview	Special Offer
Saatva	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Available in Plush 3/10; Luxury Firm 6/10; Firm 8/10 Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: Free white glove delivery and set-up Trial Period: 180 days Warranty: 15-year warranty Price: $$$	Check Price
Puffy Lux	Material: Memory Foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 5/5 MA Score: 9.3/10 Delivery: Free delivery Trial Period: 101 nights Lifetime Warranty Price: $$	Check Price
Casper Original	Material: Memory Foam Firmness: Soft side 4-5/10; Firm side 7.10 Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.8/10 Delivery: Free delivery Trial Period: 120 days Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty Price: $	Check Price
Zenhaven	Material: All-natural Latex Firmness: Soft side 4-5/10; Firm side 7-8/10 Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.6/10 Delivery: Free delivery and set-up Trial Period: 180 days Warranty: 20-year limited warranty Price: $$	Check Price
Brooklyn Aurora	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Available in Plush 3/10; Medium 5/10; and Firm 7/10 Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: Free delivery Trial Period: 120 days Warranty: 10-year limited warranty Price: $$$	Check Price
Layla	Material: Copper-infused Memory Foam Firmness: Soft side 4-5/10; Firm side 7.10 Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.8/10 Delivery: Free delivery Trial Period: 120 days Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty Price: $	Check Price
Helix Sunset	Material: Copper-infused Memory Foam Firmness: Soft side 4-5/10; Firm side 7.10 Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.8/10 Delivery: Free delivery Trial Period: 120 days Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty Price: $	Check Price
Tuft and Needle Mint	Material: Foam Blend Firmness: Medium 5/10 Customer Rating: 4.9/5.0 MA Score: 8.9/10.0 Delivery: Free shipping Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10-year limited warranty Price: $$	Check Price

MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience and the brand’s social responsibility.

Compare Features and Materials

Saatva	Puffy Lux
What’s inside: Quilted Euro pillow top: Provides cushioning and maximum comfort Comfort coils: Contour to the body and decrease motion transfer Dual perimeter edge support: Minimizes sag and offer extra support and durability Memory foam: Contouring support layer offers back pain relief Durable steel coil: Breathable base support system for maximum strength	What’s inside: Cooling top layer: Memory foam infused with gel designed to cushion and cool the body Soft foam layer: Supports pressure points and conforms to the body Support layer: Additional support layer that cools and stays stable no matter what the temperature of the surrounding environment Firm base: Engineered to provide more stability than leading memory foam mattresses
Scored best in: Durability Spinal alignment Cooling	Scored best in: Pressure relief Spinal alignment Responsiveness

Casper Original	Zenhaven
What’s inside: Breathable foam layer: Specially designed Airscape foam promotes cooling and airflow Support layer: Includes zoned support for pressure points and spinal alignment Base foam: Additional support layer that reinforces the structure of the mattress	What’s inside: Top/Bottom layer (Gentle-Firm side): “5-Zone” comfort layer distributes density throughout to promote healthy spine alignment Latex support core: 100% Talalay latex for resilient support Bottom/Top layer (Luxury-Plush side): “5-Zone” comfort layer with softer contour feel
Scored best in: Spinal alignment Edge support Responsiveness	Scored best in: Motion transfer Edge support Responsiveness

Brooklyn Aurora	Tuft & Needle Mint
What’s inside: Copper-gel Energix foam with TitanCool: Pressure relieving foam with cooling materials TitanFlex Hyperelastic foam: Super responsive Swirl visco-elastic memory foam: Contours to body Quantum edge pocketed coils: Provides support and motion isolation Base layer: Supports long-term durability	What’s inside: Tuft & Needle Adaptive foam: 30% more heat-wicking graphite; provides great pressure relief Adaptive transition layer: Ceramic gel-beads crafted to absorb 5x more heat than traditional gel Base layer: Foam layer that supports and adds structure
Scored best in: Spinal alignment Responsiveness Cooling	Scored best in: Spinal alignment Responsiveness Motion transfer

Layla	Helix Sunset
What’s inside: Soft side: Copper-infused memory foam provides comfort and cooling Convoluted air flow layer: Softer density foam provides heat dissipation Base support: Firm density foam provides overall support Firm side: Copper-infused memory foam provides a firmer feel and cooling	What’s inside: Soft cover: Stretchy cover that assists with cooling Memory foam layer: Provides pressure relief while cushioning the body Transition layer: Additional support layer Coil layer: Coil system assists in airflow, motion isolation, and edge support Base: Dense foam serves as the foundation and provides support
Scored best in: Responsiveness Edge support Pressure relief	Scored best in: Responsiveness Edge support Pressure relief

What is a Soft Mattress?

Soft mattresses are soft and comfortable to the touch. They tend to be plush and make the body feel as if it is sinking into the mattress. Most soft mattresses are constructed of soft layers, such as memory foam, latex, and soft pillow toppers.

Side sleepers gravitate toward soft mattresses because they absorb the excess pressure placed on their hips and shoulders during sleep. They also work well for those experiencing pain from sleeping on a firmer surface.

A Soft Mattress is Perfect For…

Couples: If you share a mattress with a significant other or pet, soft mattresses work to dampen any motion and prevent any sleep disruption.

Lighter sleepers: For sleepers under 130 pounds, such as kids, soft mattresses will provide adequate support and cushion without being too firm.

Side sleepers: Those who prefer to sleep on their sides like to be “hugged” by their mattress, where the bed contours to your body to support pressure points.

A Soft Mattress is Not For…

Heavier sleepers: Heavy sleepers will need to seek firmer, more supportive mattresses.

Sleepers with Back Pain: If you suffer from back pain, a soft mattress is not going to be firm enough to promote needed spinal alignment.

Shopping Considerations

While phrases such as “like sleeping on a cloud”, “soft”, or “comfortable” sound great, many shoppers will find that a soft mattress is too soft for them. There are multiple factors that will play a role in finding the best soft mattress to provide you with a night of quality sleep.

The firmness level will be a key factor when purchasing a soft mattress online. In this buyer’s guide, we will explain how to interpret the firmness scale and additional factors to consider such as sleep position, body type, and performance factors.

Understanding the Firmness Scale

Firmness is one of the most subjective preferences when purchasing a mattress. It really does depend on an individual’s preference.

Mattress firmness is simply how soft or hard you find the feel of the mattress when you’re sleeping. It is based on your comfort level. While there are a few objective factors to consider regarding firmness, using the firmness scale will provide the best results.

The firmness scale is a universal measure that depicts how soft or hard a mattress is on a scale of 1-10. One being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most average size individuals are going to prefer a firmness that falls somewhere in the middle of the scale with a ranking of 5-7. For a mattress to be considered soft, you will want a ranking no higher than a 5 on the scale. 

For those looking for a softer mattress, it’s best to avoid a ranking of 1 or 2 as the mattress will most likely not be able to provide enough support for proper spinal alignment. Heavier sleepers, as well as back sleepers and stomach sleepers looking for a soft or plush mattress, should look for a medium-firm (5-7) to firm (8-10) mattress to ensure proper support and avoid sagging in the mid-section.

Sleep Positions Best for Soft Mattresses

Sleep position plays a key role in how a mattress conforms to your body and provides pressure relief. Soft mattresses are best suited for side sleepers. Side sleepers exert more pressure on their shoulders and hips creating pressure points. A soft mattress will contour to a side sleeper’s body and absorb the excess pressure while providing optimal spine alignment.

Lightweight back and stomach sleepers may prefer a plusher mattress as well. Though average to heavier weight stomach and back sleepers tend to need a firmer mattress with extra support to keep their midsection from sinking into the mattress. A firmer mattress will generally be more suitable for stomach and back sleepers.

Related: The best mattress for back pain

Body Type

Bodyweight will need to be taken into consideration when purchasing a mattress. Lightweight sleepers, those under 130 pounds, exert less force on a mattress and will need a softer mattress that conforms to their body. A firmer mattress won’t provide the compression needed to cradle the body and will put too much pressure on joints and the back.

This means a softer mattress will not be ideal for those with a heavier body weight as they will require a firmer mattress to support extra weight.

Related: How to find the best mattress for heavy people

Types of Soft Mattresses

All mattress types offer a soft option, but some offer a better level of conforming and thus tend to feel softer than others. Below we explain the four main types of mattresses and which are most conducive to offering a softer sleep. Individual models in the same type category may vary depending on build, design, and materials. 

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses are constructed from a combination of memory foam, polyurethane foam, or a combination of both. Some may include latex as well.

Memory foam mattresses are by far some of the most popular soft mattresses. They offer the highest level of conforming. Compressing directly under the body weight, they conform to the sleeper’s body and can relieve pressure points.

Higher-density and medium-density foams will be firmer and provide more support for heavier weight sleepers. Lower-density foams will provide a softer, plusher service suited for lighter weight sleepers and side sleepers. Softer foams do sleep hotter, so it's best to find a mattress with a combination of low- and medium-density foam layers. 

Innerspring Mattresses

Generally considered a more traditional mattress than foam, latex, or hybrid, innerspring mattresses contain metal coils. Some may contain foam and latex comforting layers, but the coils are the main component.

Not considered the plushest of mattresses, innerspring mattresses do have excellent edge support making them a solid choice for couples or those who sleep close to the edge. They also tend to cost less than other mattress types, so they may be more appealing to those shopping on a budget.

Latex Mattresses

All-latex mattresses can be made of natural latex, synthetic latex, or a combination of the two. Latex mattresses are considered the least “plush” or “soft” type of mattress. The softness of the latex depends on the density of the latex foam.

There are two main types of latex: Dunlop latex and Talalay latex. Dunlop is denser and more durable and usually found in the support layer. Talalay is generally used in the comfort layers as it has a bouncier feel and is more breathable.

While latex does contour and relieve pressure points, the compression is spread out over a wider area. This can make the sleeper feel as if they are floating on top of the mattress rather than sinking into the mattress. Latex does have a natural breathability, so these types of mattresses tend to sleep cooler.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine the support of an innerspring coil mattress with the comfort of memory foam. They are composed of various layers made of some sort of combination of cotton, wool, memory foam, microcoils, and/or latex.

Hybrid mattresses are made of the best of both innerspring and foam or latex mattresses. The coil layer provides bounce, edge support and breathability for a cooler sleep. While the foam and/or latex layers provide contouring, pressure relief, and motion isolation. This makes hybrids a great option for those with aches and pains who also need a little more support for their spine.

Performance Factors

The following are the main factors you should consider when purchasing a new mattress.

Set-up: How seamless is it to get the mattress to your home and out of the packaging? Keep a quick set-up as an important factor when reading mattress reviews.

Pressure relief: Pressure points occur where a sleeper’s body lays on the bed. This is most prevalent in the shoulders, hips, and lower back. You will want to choose a mattress that evenly distributes weight while hugging your body to relieve pressure.

Spine alignment: Proper spine alignment during sleep is just as important as when awake. Misalignment of the spine during sleep will result in neck and back pain the next morning. This can become a serious issue over time. For side sleepers, you want a straight spine while stomach and back sleepers need to maintain the natural curve of the spine. Mattress support and firmness are important factors to ensure proper spine alignment.

Durability: You want your mattress to last at least 10-years. That means you need to purchase a mattress that is made from high-quality materials that will endure the test of time. A cheaply made mattress will not last.

Motion transfer: Motion transfer occurs when movement on one part of the bed is felt across the mattress. A quality mattress will prevent motion transfer or promote good motion isolation so movement on one side of the bed will not transfer to the other side. This is especially important for those who toss and turn or share a bed with a partner or pet.

Temperature regulation: No one wants to wake in the middle of the night overheated and sweating. Softer mattresses are more prone to trapping heat. Those who sleep hotter will want to look for a mattress with heat-wicking qualities and those that promote airflow to help regulate body temperature.

Responsiveness: Responsiveness has to do with how your mattress moves when you move around. If you or your partner toss and turn during the night or are a combination sleeper, you need a mattress that changes shape easily and adjusts to your movements.

Edge support: It’s important when purchasing a softer mattress to make sure there is built-in edge support. When a mattress lacks edge support, it can feel as though you are falling off the edge or make it difficult to sit on the edge. A quality mattress will have a strong, sturdy so you can fully utilize the mattress surface.

Price

The best mattresses can range in price from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. The quality of your mattress will play a part in the price. You will need to factor in the long-term benefits of a high-quality mattress that may be more expensive with the short term benefits of a budget mattress that may not last as long.

Purchasing a soft mattress online can be lighter on your wallet. Bed-in-a-box companies are able to offer more affordable prices than traditional mattress stores. A few factors play into cost without affecting quality. Many online companies own their own facilities, reducing overhead costs.

Shipping and Delivery

Shipping and delivery will vary by company, as well as how the mattress is constructed. Most online retailers will offer free shipping and delivery with your purchase.

Many brands are now compressing mattresses to fit in a box that will easily fit through your door for a quick and simple set-up process. This process is referred to as bed-in-a-box delivery. More and more brands are offering white glove delivery service. A representative will deliver your mattress directly to you, remove the packaging, and set up the mattress.. Some will even remove the old mattress.

Some luxury brands will offer white glove delivery service as part of your purchase, while others may charge a fee in the range of $100-$150.

FAQ About the Best Soft Mattresses

1. What is the best soft mattress?

   Mattresses made of multiple layers of foam and memory foam are the softest mattresses. Look for mattresses with a comfort layer for additional cushion and comfort.

2. How do you make a mattress softer?

   Mattresses soften over time, so you may want to allow your mattress a couple months to break-in before making any adjustments.

   You can soften a memory foam mattress by turning up the room temperature by a few degrees. Heat will make the foam softer. Using a thicker mattress topper will also provide a softer service.

3. Is a hard or soft mattress better for back pain?

   Depending on your sleep position and weight, a soft or firm mattress may be best for back pain relief. Lighter weight sleepers and average weight side sleepers will benefit from the sinking and contouring of a soft mattress. While sleepers of heavier body weight and those who sleep on their back or stomach will need the extra support of a medium to firm mattress.

4. Can I make a soft mattress firmer?

   Yes! Turning the temperature down a few degrees will make a foam mattress firmer. You can also add a high-density mattress topper. There are some mattresses that can be flipped to a more firm side.

Summary of Our Top Picks for the Best Soft Mattress

• Saatva - Best Luxury Mattress
• Puffy Lux - Best for Side Sleepers
• Casper Original - Best for Combination Sleepers
• Zenhaven - Best Latex Mattress
• Brooklyn Aurora - Best Hybrid Mattress
• Layla - Best Mattress for Pain Relief
• Helix Sunset - Best Cooling Mattress
• Tuft & Needle Mint - Best Cheap Mattress

About the Author Maureen Beard

Maureen is a health and wellness writer. Through her travels, she has become an expert at sleeping on any type of mattress—or plane seat.