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While many people imagine a soft mattress as something they can “sink” into, everyone needs a balance between support and firmness. Different factors will affect which mattress is a good fit for you, such as sleeping position, body weight, and whether you have joint pain.
The best soft mattress for one person may not work for another. With this in mind, we’ve thoroughly tested a number of the best soft mattresses currently available. If you’re ready to invest in a soft mattress, but are looking for more information before you make a decision, this roundup will help.
The Helix Sunset is the brand’s softest model, and its plush, contouring feel makes it seem as though you’re sleeping in a luxury hotel. This mattress offers an impressive range of features—all for a price that is more affordable than many other mattresses we reviewed.
| Cost | $936–$1,749 | $1,049–$2,398 | $665–$1,664 | $1,299–$2,798 | $1,498–$3,196 |
| Mattress type | Hybrid | Memory foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Softness level | Medium-soft | Medium-soft | Medium-soft | Medium-soft | Medium-soft |
| Trial period | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years | Limited lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| White-glove delivery | No | Yes, for an additional fee of $199 | No | Yes, through the third-party site Load Up for an additional fee starting at $125 | Yes, through the third-party site Load Up for an additional fee starting at $100 |
When searching for the perfect mattress, consider factors such as pricing, firmness options, trial periods, and sleeping preferences. Our top recommendation, the Helix Sunset, accommodates a wide range of sleepers. But the Reviews Team has tested each mattress featured on this list so you can make a well-informed choice that suits your individual needs.
Based on our testing, soft mattresses are best for side sleepers because they support the spine and hips while cushioning the shoulders. Lighter-weight (less than 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) back sleepers may also like a soft mattress, but higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) back and side sleepers may want to opt for a firmer mattress.
Soft mattresses are generally not recommended for stomach sleepers of any weight because they do not provide enough lower back support.
People with hip pain, especially side sleepers, may find that a soft mattress helps with their hip pain. Our testers found that soft mattresses support the back and hips without putting too much pressure on them, which is beneficial when trying to relieve hip pain.
In general, medium-firm mattresses are best for back pain [1] Caggiari G, et al. What Type of Mattress Should Be Chosen to Avoid Back Pain and Improve Sleep Quality? Review of the Literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Dec. 8, 2021. 22(1):51. Found on the internet at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.g . While lighter-weight (less than 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) sleepers may find that soft mattresses offer enough support and contouring to ease back pain, most higher-weight sleepers (more than 250 pounds) will likely feel better with a firmer mattress that offers more support.
In general, memory foam mattresses feel softer than hybrid mattresses with metal coils, but many soft-feeling hybrid mattresses offer a plush feel without compromising on support. You can increase the soft feel of your mattress by choosing a model with a quilted pillow top.
Soft and plush are interchangeable ways of describing a mattress that conforms to the body. When you lie on a soft or plush mattress, you may feel like your body will sink into the mattress. Soft or plush mattresses are particularly beneficial for side sleepers because they support the back and hips while cushioning the shoulders.
Have questions about this article? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
