The foundation for quality sleep is most certainly your mattress- everything else, such as the choice of the bed frame, pillows, or sheets, can only contribute to the feeling of comfort, but not completely determine it as a mattress will. Despite some common misconceptions, a soft mattress can be a great choice for both support and comfort, for certain categories of sleepers.
Even though it’s firm mattresses that people often associate with the elimination of back pain and orthopedic support, for lighter sleepers or people that sleep on their side, a specific degree of softness and plushness is preferred and will give you both a better feel and support your more properly than a firm mattress would. The only thing to look out for is not to go for a mattress that’s too soft, as it can cause issues.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Ashley Chime 12 Inch Plush Hybrid Mattress
|
|
| #2 |  Sealy Response Essentials Plush Mattress
|
|
| #3 |  Zinus 12 Inch Ultima Memory Foam Mattress
|
|
| #4 |  TUFT & NEEDLE Original Mattress
|
|
| #5 |  LUCID 10 Inch Memory Foam Plush Feel
|
|
| #6 |  BedStory 12 Inch Hybrid Mattress
|
|
Is a Soft Mattress Good For You?
Most people associate a soft mattress with old, ratty mattresses that are more than ready to be replaced by a new, bouncier mattress that will give better support and more comfort. But the fact that mattresses get softer with age- and those that are overdue for a replacement feel too soft for comfort- doesn’t mean that a soft mattress can’t be great for your back. The only problem with soft mattresses is that they don’t suit all sleepers. For instance, plus-size people and stomach sleepers would find a soft mattress to be a horrible match for their needs, as their unique sleep position and requirements dictate their choice to be a firm sleeping surface.
On the other hand, a soft mattress will be good for sleepers that need a body-hugging, plush mattress that wouldn’t put additional stress on their key pressure points and cause pain and discomfort after weeks of use, such as side sleepers. People that sleep on their side sleep better on softer mattresses as they cushion the pressure points that arise when you sleep on the side: shoulders and hips shouldn’t sink too far in the mattress but they shouldn’t be completely elevated either, to ensure comfort and proper spinal alignment. As a result, side sleepers should get a medium soft mattress (or a medium-firm if they are in the category of sleepers that carry extra weight).
Another group of people that should choose a soft mattress over a firm one are lightweight sleepers. People that weigh below 200 pounds should look into medium-soft mattresses to get the comfort they need for a good night’s rest, whereas soft mattresses are a great choice for petite persons that weigh below 130 pounds. The reason for this is that even a medium-firm mattress would feel hard as a rock if you are thin- you wouldn’t sink in even a little bit which is essential for comfort and pressure relief.
So, the main factors that should influence your choice of bed firmness are your sleeping position and body type. Whereas side sleepers and lightweight people do much better with a soft mattress, the same cannot be said for other categories of sleepers. Both stomach and back sleepers need a firm sleeping surface to retain natural spine curvature as they sleep, and plus-size people will sink into a soft mattress, making it unsupportive, uncomfortable, and difficult to get out of bed.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Soft Mattress
While the firmness level of a mattress is pretty important, it’s not the only thing you should consider before purchase. Once you realize that a soft mattress is what suits your body type and sleeping position, other factors could influence your decision- and should be taken into account.
For instance, for couples, a mattress with good motion isolating properties is strongly recommended. These mattresses don’t spread the movement across the sleeping surface- meaning that when your partner tosses and turns at night or gets up early for work, you won’t feel a thing.
Another important feature is good edge support, particularly for seniors or people with mobility issues. This refers to the strength and sturdiness of the mattress’ edges, or, in other words, how stable the mattress is when you sit on the edge. Weak edges make getting out of bed a bit more challenging if you are already struggling with mobility issues.
As memory foam is often used in the construction of soft mattresses, temperature regulation is another thing to factor in. If you are a hot sleeper, you’ll want a cooling soft mattress that is breathable and doesn’t trap heat, which means going for either gel-infused memory foam mattresses or designs that incorporate a coil base, such as innerspring or hybrid mattresses.
In the case you are suffering from chronic back pain, be sure to get a soft mattress that is designed for an orthopedic level of support and comfort, preferably one that uses premium memory foam which is prized for its pressure-relieving properties.
Best Soft Mattresses
Ashley Chime 12 Inch Plush Hybrid Mattress
Specs:
- Type: Hybrid
- Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King
Editor’s choice
This plush hybrid mattress will show you why soft mattresses are a symbol of supreme comfort- it feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud, and yet, its clever hybrid construction ensures you get the support you need for healthy posture. The multi-layered design includes a sturdy, lumbar-supporting base consisting of 680 individual power packed wrapped coils, followed by upholstery grade comfort foam for additional support and coil cushioning gel memory foam for temperature control and pressure relief, and super soft support quilt foam on top for that unmistakable plush feeling.
Breathable and supportive, this soft mattress will suit side sleepers, hot sleepers, and anyone that prefers a softer mattress to sleep on. The well-rounded design and optimal thickness of 12 inches make it a generally good choice- and the fact that this mattress is compatible with any base, including adjustable beds, makes the choice a no-brainer.
Pros
- Multiple layers of foam for optimal cushioning
- Pressure relief and pain relief
- Coils ensure good lumbar support
- Compatible with all foundations and bed frames
- Breathable
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons
- Initial chemical smell
Who Should Buy This Mattress?
An all-around great mattress, this soft hybrid mattress will keep you supported and ensure comfort regardless of your sleep preferences. Ideal for anyone that loves a plush bed to sleep on, this budget-friendly option will suit a wide variety of sleepers.
Sealy Response Essentials Plush Mattress
Specs:
- Type: Innerspring
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split California King
Runner up
For all those that prefer a traditional, classic design but still want a soft mattress to sleep on, this innerspring mattress is just the thing. Unlike poor-quality, outdated coil base mattresses, it boasts superior cushioning that allows you to enjoy the comfort of softness while you still get to reap the benefits that come with the innerspring design. The coil base lets air circulate and provides great support for your back, and the reinforced foam edge improves durability and gives you a larger surface to sleep on- not to mention a firm edge to sit on when you’re getting out of bed. For pressure relief, comfort, and that ultra-soft feel that not many mattresses can boast, the coils are followed by cushioning foam with peaks and valleys that further promote breathability, too. The pillowtop is just the cherry on top!
This versatile bed comes in two thicknesses (the thicker-the softer) and all standard sizes, and it is compatible with all types of foundations.
Pros
- Good for back pain
- Comfortable and soft
- Great for back support
- Breathable and doesn’t trap heat
- Suits all types of bases
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons
- Not for plus-size sleepers
Who Should Buy This Mattress?
Whether you’re tired of waking up sore and tense or just want to experience the support and comfort that a high-quality soft mattress offers, this innerspring mattress will meet your expectations. Comfy and cleverly designed, it will give you a good night’s rest- even if you’re used to back pain.
Zinus 12 Inch Ultima Memory Foam Mattress
Specs:
- Type: Memory foam
- Available sizes: Narrow Twin, Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Customer’s choice
There’s nothing that tops the specific type of comfort and pressure relief that memory foam mattresses offer- and you’ll figure why they are so popular after just a few nights on this soft mattress. Made from three layers of foam to ensure you get both the lumbar support essential for pain-free sleep and the pressure-relieving plush feel that cradles your body regardless of your sleeping position. The base is made from high-density foam, followed by comfort foam, and green-tea infused memory foam, which, in addition to its body-contouring effect, helps wick away moisture and neutralizes odors.
The skillful construction allows this mattress to be soft without compromising on its supportive properties, so this memory foam mattress will suit you well if you have back pain, sleep on your side or simply prefer the feel of sinking in your mattress- to the point you’ll still be comfy but not overwhelmed by it.
Pros
- Pressure relief and pain relief
- Supportive high-density base
- Green tea infusion for odor neutralization
- Moisture-wicking
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons
- The mattress cover is not removable
- Not a good choice for hot sleepers
Who Should Buy This Mattress?
Affordable and comfortable, this soft memory foam mattress proves that you don’t have to break the bank to improve your quality of sleep. The multiple layers of foam work to offer lumbar support and exceptional pressure relief- as well as that trademark plush, body-cradling feel.
TUFT & NEEDLE Original Mattress
Specs:
- Type: Memory foamy
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Best soft mattress for back pain
Despite what some people believe, a firm mattress doesn’t necessarily have to be a better choice for back pain- sometimes, it’s a soft mattress that does the trick for chronic back pain. This two-layered memory foam mattress is the perfect example of this, as its clever construction and high-quality materials can help make a significant difference for back pain sufferers. The 7-inch support layer on the bottom of the mattress ensures support for the whole body but especially lumbar support, to ensure natural spine curvature and healthy sleep posture, both of which are essential for pain relief. Next, there are 3 inches of unique proprietary Tuft & Needle adaptive foam which adapts to your body shape to offer relief for key pressure points and ensure comfort in whichever position you sleep in.
What’s more, the proprietary foam used in this mattress is also infused with a heat-wicking and cooling combination of gel and graphite so despite being made solely out of foam, this soft mattress won’t trap heat and cause sweating.
Pros
- Proprietary foam type
- Supportive but soft
- Relieves back pain and pressure on key points
- Reduces motion transfer
- Dissipates heat
- CertiPUR-US certified
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
Cons
- Not soft enough for some sleepers
Who Should Buy This Mattress?
Chronic back pain is no joke- this soft mattress can help you get that finely-tuned balance between comfort and support to finally get some pain-free rest. The combination of sturdy high-density foam and proprietary body-contouring foam offers a unique sleeping experience that helps reduce and eliminate pressure and pain.
LUCID 10 Inch Memory Foam Plush Feel
Specs:
- Type: Memory foam
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Short Queen, King, California King, Split King
Best soft mattress for adjustable bed
If you have an adjustable bed frame and want a soft mattress to match it, this plush memory foam mattress is the right choice. Made from three layers of foam, it will offer you comfort and support in any position. The base is made with 4.5 inches of bamboo charcoal-infused dense foam to provide lumbar support and give the mattress sturdiness, and paired with 2 inches of contouring transition foam and top made from 3.5 inches ventilated gel memory foam top layer for a cooling and body-cradling feel.
In addition to offering pressure and pain relief, this soft memory foam mattress is also an excellent choice for couples as it doesn’t transfer motion: you won’t feel your partner’s movements and will sleep peacefully even if they toss and turn.
Pros
- Supportive yet soft
- Pressure and pain relief
- Cooling gel foam on top
- Suitable for all sleeping positions
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons
- Not very breathable
Who Should Buy This Mattress?
For anyone looking for a soft, supportive mattress that works with an adjustable bed, this memory foam mattress is just the thing. It will give you lumbar support and a plush feel for ultimate comfort- and all that without breaking the bank.
BedStory 12 Inch Hybrid Mattress
Specs:
- Type: Hybrid
- Available sizes: Twin, Full XL, Queen, King, California King
Best soft mattress for hot sleepers
When you’re on the lookout for absolute comfort, as a hot sleeper, you always have to pay attention to the materials and the construction of the mattress. It’s not enough that it’s soft and supportive, but it also has to be cool to sleep on- and this plush hybrid mattress manages to pull it off. The first thing that contributes to the coolness is the base made from individually wrapped coils which lets air circulate for better breathability, and in turn, temperature regulation. Next, it’s the 2 layers of egg crate foams which also promote good airflow, and a layer of memory foam infused with cooling gel to help dissipate and draw away heat from your body.
The euro top design feels soft and comfy to sleep on, particularly if you are a side sleeper, but the coil base prevents sinking and instead adapts to your body, ensuring optimal lumbar support and minimal motion transmission.
Pros
- Cooling gel foam
- Egg crate foam and coils for unobstructed airflow
- Good for lumbar support
- Suits side sleepers
- Doesn’t trap heat
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons
- Edge support could be better
Who Should Buy This Mattress?
For those of you that can’t get any sleep when the nights are too warm for AC to help, this breathable, temperature-regulating soft mattress will be a good choice. Not only that it has coils that make it breathable, but it also boasts gel-infused memory foam for a cooling effect.
In Conclusion
If you weigh under 130 pounds or sleep on your side, a soft mattress is an ideal choice. Comfortable and supportive to certain categories of sleepers, soft mattresses can make you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud- without causing you to wake up stiff and sore the next morning.
There are various soft mattress types available as the firmness level depends on both the construction and the choice of materials, so you’ll be able to find a perfect match for your needs and budget whatever your preferences are- from memory foam to hybrid, there’s a soft, plush match made in heaven for any sleeper.