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Best Soft Mattress

Candace Osmond

When comfort is in question, the firmness of a mattress plays an important role. But that doesn’t mean that there’s a universal level of firmness that works for everyone- what feels comfortable to some won’t necessarily work for others. Soft mattresses are specially designed to offer support and comfort to everyone who requires a softer sleeping surface. They are a great choice for side sleepers as they offer proper alignment while giving you a soft cradling surface to sleep on.

If you were always picky about the firmness of your mattress, perhaps it is the perfect time to try out a soft mattress. Despite the popularity of firmer mattresses, they don’t have to be the ideal solution for you: especially considering the specific benefits a softer sleeping surface can offer.

Best Soft MattressesSpecs

Classic Brands Cool 1.0 Gel Memory Foam Mattress

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  • CertiPUR US certified
  • Gel-infused memory foam is cooling to touch
  • Good air circulation
  • Medium soft feel

Zinus Green Tea 10” Memory Foam Mattress

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  • Great ratio of foam layers
  • Green tea infused for a fresher scent
  • Active charcoal neutralizes odors
  • Cooling gel-infused foam for temperature regulation

Signature Design By Ashley Chime Express Memory Foam mattress

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  • Low maintenance
  • Green tea ventilated foam layer
  • A good combination of support and softness
  • Knit stretch cover for added protection

AmazonBasics 8” Soft Plush Mattress

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  • Certipur-US certified foam
  • Comfortable to sleep on
  • A breathable middle foam layer
  • Lightweight

LUCID Memory Foam Soft Mattress

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  • Great for kids
  • Bamboo charcoal infused base prevents odor build-up
  • Good balance between softness and sturdiness
  • Breathable and cooling to touch

What are the Pros of a Soft Mattress?

Mattresses come in many different designs- from memory foam to innerspring to hybrid mattresses- and regardless of the way that they are made, they all significantly vary in terms of their firmness. The reason for that is that people prefer different things- some can benefit from and enjoy a firmer sleeping surface, while others will prefer a soft one. Now, many brands offer something in between, and you can really pick one suited for you even if you’re unsure what you’d like. In case you experience back pain and discomfort sleeping on a firm surface, your choice should be on the other side of the spectrum: with comfy soft mattresses. In addition to being enjoyable to sleep on, soft mattresses have many other advantages that make you consider opting for one.

They Are Great for Lighter Persons

While plus-size sleepers can greatly benefit from a firm or a hybrid mattress due to the support they give, lightweight people would not have the same experience. And this is where soft mattresses really come as a lifesaver. While a firm mattress simply wouldn’t “register” a light person being on it, a soft mattress will do the opposite – perfectly adapting to the natural curve of your back and distributing your weight in order to relieve the pressure on the back and joints. If you are in the featherweight category and have trouble finding the right sleeping surface – it might be the time to try out a soft mattress.

They Can Help with Back Pain

Contrary to popular belief, for some back issues, it’s not the firm surface that helps relieve pain- but the opposite. Due to the softness of the foam in the mattress, it perfectly adapts to a natural curve of your spine, supporting shoulders and hips, allowing the body to adapt. Thus the pressure is relieved and you can enjoy a good night’s sleep without any discomfort. Depending on the material type from which a soft mattress is constructed, it can be “finely tuned” to your needs by combining multiple advantages into one design. For chronic back issues, a memory foam mattress can be the best solution as it is optimized for spine alignment and pressure point relief. But for something less ergonomic yet still comfortable, latex and innerspring based mattresses are a good solution as well.

Great For Side and Stomach Sleepers

Everyone has a sleeping position which they prefer and it can be difficult changing that, as well as finding a mattress that is ideal for your unique sleeping preferences. Soft mattresses will work best for side and stomach sleepers. A good soft mattress alleviates tension from those key pressure points for side sleepers. If it were a firm mattress, a side sleeper would feel pressure and eventually discomfort – especially in the hips and shoulders. Stomach sleepers can enjoy them too – a soft mattress works well to distribute your weight evenly and remove any pressure on your tummy.

Are there any Cons to Soft Mattresses?

Since soft and firm mattresses are found on two opposite sides of the spectrum, each option comes with a set of pros and cons to it. This makes soft mattresses only great for certain people, while others might find some obvious cons. Either way, it is important to know both sides of the product and to make the right choice – which will benefit you in the long run. Here are the key cons of soft mattresses.

Lacks Support for Heavier People

We mentioned that a soft mattress is best for a lightweight person. That implies that plus-size sleepers really can’t benefit from a soft mattress. Due to the displacement, proper weight distribution is difficult to achieve, and thus the pressure on the back and the body will become too great, causing discomfort. This is opposite to the effects of firm mattresses that can provide ample support for heavy persons.

Lacks Air Flow

For any mattress type, good circulation of air is crucial. The ability to mitigate moisture and to have a good air circulation beneath the mattress can really dictate the overall hygiene, longevity, and beneficial properties it has. Airflow is best in hybrid mattresses and innerspring designs. But when soft foam mattresses are in question – especially if they have no inner springs – airflow is a big issue. This will require a bed frame with substantial ground clearance and no storage beneath, in order for air to circulate beneath and penetrate the foam. Keep this in mind.

Not Suited for Couples

If there is a difference in weight between you and your partner, you might be surprised that a soft mattress might not work the same way for both of you. Weight distribution might not work the best if you are lighter than your partner, and thus issues can occur for either one. This means that soft mattresses work best for solo sleepers – where the properties can perfectly adapt to only you and your profile alone. However, if you and your partner weigh approximately the same, a soft mattress might not be a problematic choice.

Best Soft Mattresses

Classic Brands Cool 1.0 Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Editor’s choice

Classic Brands rarely disappoints with its designs and quality and this medium soft memory foam mattress is one of their most popular products. The defining feature of the design is the gel-infused ventilated memory foam which perfectly conforms to the lines of your body and relieves pressure from key stress points. And not only that, but it also has good air circulation and moisture mitigation- something that comes in handy with any mattress, but particularly with memory foam ones. Lastly, gel-infused foam is also good for regulating temperature, no matter the season, as it will feel cool to touch and won’t overheat (a known issue with cheap memory foam mattresses). This high-quality memory foam mattress is also hypoallergenic- another additional benefit to add to the long list.

Who Should Buy This Product?

This is a high-quality soft mattress that’s made with attention to detail: it is cooling, breathable, comfortable, hypoallergenic, and great for most people that prefer to sleep on a softer surface. A great choice available in all standard bed sizes- so everyone can find a proper match.

Pros

  • CertiPUR US certified
  • Gel-infused memory foam is cooling to touch
  • Good air circulation
  • Medium soft feel

Cons

  • Takes a while to fully expand

Specs for Comparison:

Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Available Thickness: 14”

Certification: CertiPUR US

Weight: 94 lbs

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Zinus Green Tea 10” Memory Foam Mattress

Runner up

Zinus is best known for its exceptional ability to combine a great price with great quality- a balance which many never achieve. This design is ideal for light persons and side sleepers, but anyone who prefers a softer feel will love this mattress. With green tea and active charcoal-infused pressure relief memory foam layer that perfectly adapts to your own shape to relieve pressure from your back and hips, this soft mattress is great for people with aching joints and chronic back pain as well. The soft contouring memory foam is combined with a thick layer of base support foam and a layer of comfort foam with enhanced airflow. A great, mid-range soft mattress that is well-made and suited for everyone that prefers mattresses that are not firm and rigid, this is a really solid choice for most people.

Who Should Buy This Product?

If you are on the lookout for a high-quality mattress and can’t afford to break the bank – here’s your chance to get a great soft mattress for a good price. Contouring and infused with green tea and charcoal, this mattress is not just comfy to sleep on, it prevents odor buildup and allows better breathability.

Pros

  • Great ratio of foam layers
  • Green tea infused for a fresher scent
  • Active charcoal neutralizes odors
  • Cooling gel-infused foam for temperature regulation
  • 10-year warranty

Cons

  • 250 lbs max weight support

Specs for Comparison:

Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King

Available Thickness: 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”

Certification: CertiPUR US

Weight: 53 lbs

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Signature Design By Ashley Chime Express Memory Foam mattress

Best soft mattress for back pain

Even for a soft mattress, a multi-layered and thick design can be a great benefit that doesn’t take away from its softness. This product from Signature Design By Ashley is a clear example of this, as well as the company’s dedication to high-quality, well thought out designs. The biggest layer is a 10 inches thick green tea ventilated foam that keeps the mattress well ventilated, odor-free, and provides ample support. The thickness of the high-density foam support is crucial for spinal alignment and relieves back pain, but it doesn’t mean that the overall mattress will be too firm. It is combined with 2 inches of gel and charcoal-infused memory foam for superior comfort and hypoallergenic properties, as well as to provide that contouring effect that removes pressure from key points on the body and helps relieve tension in your muscles as you sleep. And to top it all off is a knit stretch cover which adds to the durability and protects the foam layers from damage. A really great design with plenty of benefits to offer!

Who Should Buy This Product?

This soft memory foam mattress really does a great job at combining some high quality features people love in this type of mattresses: it will offer the right support for your back while at the same time ensure a soft cradling feel that relieves key pressure points. With a mid-range price and great features, it really is one of the best choices on the market when it comes to mattresses for back pain.

Pros

  • Low maintenance
  • Green tea ventilated foam layer
  • A good combination of support and softness
  • Knit stretch cover for added protection

Cons

  • Factory odors take a while to disappear
  • Takes a long time to fully expand

Specs for Comparison:

Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King

Available Thickness: 8”, 10”, 12”

Certification: /

Weight: 69 lbs

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AmazonBasics 8” Soft Plush Mattress

Budget buy

It is certainly a challenge to find the perfect combination of good firm support and softness but AmazonBasics manages to deliver both of these features in a single mattress. The key to this is a 4 inches thick profile cut hard foam that acts as a great support base layer, and the upper half of the mattress that is split between 2 inches of punched soft foam and 2 inches of memory foam, creating a great plush feel with good body support. Another great thing about this mattress is its affordable price- it is a great choice for college dorms, guest rooms, or when you don’t want to break the bank to try out if a soft mattress works for you.

Who Should Buy This Product?

Plain and simple, AmazonBasics delivers a soft mattress with no bells and whistles- but at an affordable price, making it a great choice for everyone on a tight budget. The soft memory foam on top of a sturdy supporting high-density foam base will make this bed comfortable to sleep in but it’s not one of the most durable options on the market- it is more suited for college dorms or guest rooms.

Pros

  • Certipur-US certified foam
  • Comfortable to sleep on
  • A breathable middle foam layer
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Takes up to 72 hours to expand fully
  • Could be more durable

Specs for Comparison:

Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King

Available Thickness: 6”, 8”, 10”

Certification: CertiPUR US

Weight: 42 lbs

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LUCID Memory Foam Soft Mattress

Best soft mattress for kids

When it comes to kids’ comfort, it’s not always easy to strike a balance between what’s good for them and what feels good to them, but Lucid manages to offer precisely that combination, with their 6 inches thick soft mattress. The majority of this mattress is made from 5 inches thick bamboo charcoal infused foam layer. Not only is this good for proper spinal support, but it ensures no odors get trapped in the mattress, that it’s breathable and hypoallergenic to boot. This is topped off with an inch of gel-infused memory foam layer, which feels cooling and cradles your child’s body. Besides this, the gel induced foam also regulates temperature effectively so there won’t be overheating issues to deal with.

Who Should Buy This Product?

If the budget is tight but you are still after a reliable, mid soft mattress for your child, Lucid has you covered. The balance between sturdiness and support of a high-density base and the contouring feel of gel-infused memory foam will have your young one sleeping like an angel.

Pros

  • Great for kids
  • Affordable
  • Bamboo charcoal infused base prevents odor build-up
  • Good balance between softness and sturdiness
  • Breathable and cooling to touch
  • 10-year warranty

Cons

  • On the firmer side, could be softer

Specs for Comparison:

Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL Full, Queen

Available Thickness: 6”

Certification: CertiPUR US

Weight: 15 lbs

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In Conclusion

Quality of sleep is important for your overall well being so it’s crucial to make sure that you get a good mattress to provide it. A soft mattress will be a great option for people that sleep on their side or their stomach, those that are lightweight, as well as people that can’t get rest when they sleep on a firm surface. Most soft mattresses are either made from memory foam alone or at least incorporate a generous layer of body-contouring soft foam, so above all else, they’ll be very enjoyable to sleep on.