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The Best Soft Mattress of 2025
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid - Soft -
Best Value Mattress
Layla Memory Foam Mattress -
Most Comfortable Mattress
Softer WinkBed -
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
Cariloha Resort Bamboo Mattress -
Best Luxury Mattress
Nolah Evolution 15 -
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Helix Sunset
Best Overall Mattress
Plush foam layers make the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Soft a perfect option for sleepers who gravitate toward soft beds. Our testers experienced superior contouring for pressure points, while the coils helped keep their bodies from feeling overwhelmed by the bed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Thick foam comfort system offers exceptional cushioning for pressure points
- Foam layers effectively reduce motion transfer
- Optional cooling pillow-top enhances plushness
Cons
- Foam is prone to heat retention without the optional cooling pillow-top
- Customers must pay $99 for return shipping
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress
A flippable design with two firmnesses in one makes the Layla Memory Foam Mattress an appealing option for value seekers. Our side-sleeping testers appreciated the softer side’s deep cradling, which helped relieve pressure buildup and keep the spine aligned. You also can’t beat the affordable price-point and lifetime warranty.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adaptive memory foam layer contours closely to the body to ease pressure
- Zoned polyfoam layer creates targeted support
- Reversible construction offers two firmness levels
Cons
- Hot sleepers may find that the foam layers trap too much heat
- Lacks strong edge support, particularly on the softer of the two sides
Ratings
Our Take
Most Comfortable Mattress
The WinkBed’s balanced cushioning and support make it a highly comfortable option for many sleepers. The Softer WinkBed features one more foam layer than the firmer models, which gives it a luxuriously plush feel. Meanwhile, the robust coil system kept our bodies on an even plane.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Effective pressure relief from a combination of polyfoam comfort layers
- Coil-based construction is sturdy but breathable
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Back and stomach sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds may sink too deeply into the mattress
- Somewhat limited bounce and ease of movement
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
All-foam models often excel in our pressure relief tests, and the Cariloha Resort Bamboo Mattress is no exception. The three adaptive memory foam layers closely hugged our testers’ bodies and effectively relieved undue pressure buildup in their hips, shoulders, and lower back
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Memory foam layers contour to the body for plush pressure relief
- Comfort system prevents most motion transfer
- Bamboo-derived viscose cover is breathable and moisture-wicking
Cons
- The close hug of memory foam can contribute to heat retention
- Movement on the mattress surface may be restricted by the contouring materials
Ratings
Our Take
Best Luxury Mattress
The Nolah Evolution 15 is a high-end hybrid with a luxurious feel to match. Although the foam layers in the medium (5) model contour closely to the body to relieve pressure, the foam’s open-cell construction and steady airflow through the coil support core prevent too much heat buildup.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open-cell foams cushion the body while limiting heat retention
- Zoned coils are reinforced under the midsection and provide enhanced edge support
- Euro-top design delivers above-average pressure relief
Cons
- Back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may find that their midsection sinks too deeply into the mattress
- Foam layers may produce some initial off-gassing odors
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Helix Sunset is an exceptionally soft hybrid that side sleepers on our team thoroughly enjoyed. The mattress’ adaptive foam layers hugged our side sleepers’ bodies closely to relieve common pressure buildup in the hips and shoulders. Meanwhile, the robust coil system helped them maintain healthy sleep postures.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adaptive memory foam cushions side sleepers’ hips and shoulders to relieve pressure
- Hybrid design delivers a blend of contouring and support
- Coils facilitate steady airflow to help the mattress sleep cool
Cons
- May feel too soft for sleepers weighing more than 130 pounds
- Closely conforming memory foam might restrict movement
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid - Soft | Hybrid | Couples | Great Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Layla Memory Foam Mattress | Foam | People With Sharp Pressure Points | Great Value | 120 nights |
| Softer WinkBed | Innerspring | Lighter Sleepers | Good Value | 120 nights (30 night requirement) |
| Cariloha Resort Bamboo Mattress | Foam | Side Sleepers | Good Value | 100 nights |
| Nolah Evolution 15 | Hybrid | Most Sleepers | Good Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Helix Sunset | Hybrid | People Under 130 Pounds | Good Value | 100 nights (30-night requirement) |
A soft mattress is ideal for sleepers who need strong contouring and pressure relief for areas like the shoulders, hips, or spine. If you enjoy soft surfaces but still need support for the lower back, consider a soft hybrid model. These offer cushioned surfaces without necessarily sacrificing support.
Who Is a Soft Mattress Best For?
A soft mattress is best for people who want contouring and cushioning under their body. Good candidates include sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds, people who sleep on their side, or those prone to sharp pressure points.
In contrast, people who weigh more than 230 pounds and most back and stomach sleepers often need firmer mattress support to avoid excess sinkage. Soft mattresses also restrict movement on the bed, so they may not work well for combination sleepers.
What to Consider When Buying a Soft Mattress
Knowing what to look for in a mattress can help you find the best one for your needs. Key considerations include mattress type, cushioning, support, and pressure relief — and how those factors relate to your sleeping position and body weight.
Mattress Type
While foam mattresses can have a firm feel, they are a common soft mattress option and can deliver notable pressure relief and motion isolation. Memory foam mattresses are particularly popular among people seeking a plush feel. Latex mattresses typically have more pushback than foam models, making them easier to move on, but they can be produced with a soft feel.
Hybrid mattresses are found in all firmness levels, but most soft models have top layers of foam that cradle the body, with the underlying coils providing stability and bounce. An airbed has adjustable air chambers so you can make it feel softer by removing air using a remote or app.
Watch our video below to learn more about the similarities and differences between some of the most common mattress types.
Sleeping Position and Body Type
Sleeping position and body type play important roles in determining a sleeper’s ideal mattress firmness. Soft mattresses are typically best for side sleepers who need cushioning to relieve pressure in the hips and shoulders, as well as people who weigh under 130 pounds and don’t sink as deeply into a bed’s surface.
On the other hand, back and stomach sleepers and people over 230 pounds will likely experience excessive sinkage when sleeping on a soft mattress, which can misalign the spine. These sleepers often benefit from firmer support.
Cushioning and Support
Cushioning is the ability to soften the impact between your body and the sleep surface, while support is the ability to keep your spine properly aligned throughout the night. If the mattress allows excessive sagging underneath heavier parts of the body, it can jeopardize spinal alignment.
Tips for Making a Mattress Feel Softer
There are a handful of practical tips that can help make your new or existing mattress feel softer.
- Break in your mattress: If your mattress is relatively new, keep in mind that it may take time for it to develop a broken-in feel that isn’t quite so firm.
- Add a plush topper: A quick and easy way to adjust the firmness of your mattress is to cover it with a soft mattress topper. A few extra inches of plush material can add significantly more cushioning to a mattress.
- Try a mattress pad: If you only need a touch of softness, consider using a thinner mattress pad, which also provides some protection against spills and stains.
- Rotate the mattress: Turning your mattress 180 degrees on a regular basis can help maintain a more consistent feel so you don’t have some sections that are firmer than others.
- Apply more heat: Some materials, like foam, get softer as they warm up. Depending on your mattress type, using a heated mattress pad may give your bed a softer feel.
- Replace it within your trial window: If your new mattress feels too firm, you may be eligible for a refund or exchange if it came with a sleep trial and you’re still within the return window. Check with the mattress company about your trial and options for making a return.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
If you’ve decided on the style of mattress you’d like to purchase but want more options, take a look at our other extensive buying guides broken down by mattress type.
Best Mattresses by Type
How We Test
We rely on a team of industry veterans and a carefully vetted testing methodology to identify the highest-quality, best-performing mattresses on the market. To find the best soft mattresses, our diverse testing team evaluated dozens of models in our in-house testing lab, prioritizing contouring, pressure relief, temperature control, and overall feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest sign that your mattress is too soft is excessive sagging or sinking when you’re in bed. If you feel like you’re being swallowed up by your mattress, it’s a strong indication that your mattress is too plush. Another sign is if you regularly have aches and pains that feel worse when you wake up.
Whether a soft mattress is good for back pain depends on your sleep needs. If you’re a side sleeper or weigh under 130 pounds, a soft mattress may help alleviate back pain by cushioning your body so that your spine stays aligned. If you’re a stomach or back sleeper or weigh over 230 pounds, a soft mattress may not provide adequate support, which can exacerbate back pain.
A soft mattress may reduce the discomfort side sleepers commonly feel around the shoulders and hips while providing the contouring necessary to keep the spine in a neutral position. However, a soft mattress may not be good for side sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds. These sleepers may sink too far into the mattress, preventing proper spinal support.
The softest mattresses are made with materials that have plenty of cushioning and don’t strongly push back against your body when you lie down. Mattresses with top layers of memory foam are consistently popular among people seeking a plush sleep surface.
