Best Soft Mattress (2023)

Key Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Soft Mattress

Material/Type

• Foam

Memory foam is often found in softer beds because of its ability to relieve pressure well. With a memory foam mattress, you will experience a more slow-moving feel as you notice the foam conforming to your shape. 

• Innerspring

Innerspring beds aren’t known for their softness. These beds are highly supportive, bouncy, and breathable, but the thin comfort layer won’t do wonders if you’re looking for something plush. You may be able to find some softer versions, but in general, we wouldn’t recommend a traditional innerspring for those who want a soft bed.

• Latex

Latex can relieve pressure well, but it also feels firmer than memory foam. Furthermore, the material’s responsive nature is not always well-received by those looking for a truly soft sensation. Some manufacturers will use Talalay latex, a softer type of latex, in the comfort layers, which could help provide more plushness. Check out some latex mattress options here. 

• Hybrid

A hybrid is a mattress that’s built with an innerspring unit and multiple foam layers. Hybrid mattresses usually provide better cushioning and pressure relief than their traditional innerspring counterparts. Some brands sell softer hybrids made with memory foam on top that could work well for sleepers seeking a plush bed. Hybrid mattresses also have the added benefit of extra support and breathability from the coils.

Read Our Full Guide: Best Mattress Types

Firmness

The firmness of the bed is probably the most direct measure of how soft it is. Though firmness is subjective, most beds that we consider to be plush will have a rating under 5 on our firmness scale of 1-10. In order to avoid getting a bed that’s too soft, we recommend not getting anything below a 4 rating. For reference, we do not rate beds lower than this on our site because they will provide little to no support for the back.

Firmness Level vs. Support

Firmness and support are often mistaken for each other, but these are two separate measures. That being said, support and firmness can influence one another. While firmness reflects how soft or firm a bed feels, support is how well it does at keeping the sleeper’s spine in good alignment. Often, firmer beds can provide good support because the more rigid layers can help keep the body lifted, which is why they’re sometimes thought of as the same thing.

Responsiveness

Responsiveness refers to how quickly the bed responds to movement. Quick-responding beds usually have a bouncy feel. Latex, hybrid, and innerspring beds are usually better for responsiveness than memory foam, but that also means they’re more prone to motion transfer. Responsiveness is often most valuable to combination sleepers, as well as people with limited mobility, who need to be able to move around the bed easily.

Spine Alignment

Good spine alignment is essential for preventing or worsening back pain. When you’re resting in an awkward posture, this creates added pressure on your back, which is why you can experience pain. To maintain optimal alignment, you need a bed that keeps your body well-supported, preventing your heavier areas from dipping into the mattress. Softer beds are usually only best for certain sleepers, such as lightweight individuals, because they won’t provide sufficient support for heavier people.

Price

How soft a bed feels shouldn’t impact the price. Usually, the mattress price is impacted by factors like material quality, durability, special cooling features, and the types of materials used. The good news here is that many soft beds are memory foam mattresses, which are usually cheaper than hybrid or latex options. Additionally, shopping online can help save you money by cutting out added costs from in-store retailers.

If you're looking for a budget mattress, check these cheap mattress options.

Consider the Temperature

Softer mattresses are usually made out of memory foam (but not always), and this is a material that can bring the most substantial heat retention if it is not a modern design.

If heat is a problem for you, consider the construction of your soft mattress and make sure that there are cooling measures in place. This will help dissipate the heat and bring more coolness to your bed, in the hopes that you rest soundly.

With this in mind, there are certain materials that bring additional cooling and breathability to the bed. Latex, coils, and gel are among them. They may slightly raise the price, but if you can save yourself from waking up hot during the night, it’s worth it.

Learn More: Our Top Rated Cooling Beds Reviewed

Think About Edge Support

Edge support is one thing that a lot of people disregard because it isn't always of huge importance to every individual or couple. However, it can be important if you are part of a couple that needs more space. As a general rule of thumb, softer beds tend to be more challenged with edge support, though not always.

If you sleep with someone else, you may find yourself using the edges a lot more often than not. This is an example of when you’d truly appreciate proper support in this area. Good edge support allows for more usage of the entire surface, which can help you rest comfortably.