The best soft mattresses are plush and pressure-relieving without compromising on support. While many people like the idea of a cloud-like mattress, theyāre generally best suited for side sleepers and petite individuals, who benefit from the extra cushioning on their joints. Our sleep team tested hundreds of mattresses (and researched countless more) to find the top models available. Of all the options, the Amerisleep AS5 is our overall favorite soft mattress. It ticks all the boxes for side sleepers and lightweight individuals, as well as any other fans of a marshmallow-soft bed.
The best soft mattress overall is the Amerisleep AS5 (shown above).
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER
Of course, choosing the right mattress is highly individual. Body weight, sleep style and personal preferences all dictate which soft mattress delivers the balance of cushion and support you need for restful sleep. To cater to all these needs, weāve rounded up nine of the best soft mattresses. We also have guides to the best pillow-top mattresses and memory foam mattresses, if you already have a particular construction in mind.
Responsive and pressure-relieving for side sleeping
Ultra-plush feel without sacrificing support
Compatible with adjustable bases
Cons:
Some reviewers mention strong off-gassing
Not the best cooling option
The Amerisleep AS5ās foam construction hugs you while you sleep, and the bed is designed to be more responsive than other foam mattresses. It has a layer of pressure-relieving memory foam that cushions your body while also adapting to movement. A proprietary transition layer adds more support under your head, back and legs, with extra cushion under your hips and shoulders. As a result, you get individualized support along with comfort and cooling features. Itās also ultra plush, with a rating of 2 on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, according to the company. Another added bonus is that this mattress is flexible enough to work with adjustable bases.
What our editors say: āWith a prominent memory foam feel and ultra-soft profile, this is a good pick for side sleepers or petite profiles who want to sink into their bedās marshmallowy foam layers,ā says Forbes Vetted sleep and mattress editor McKenzie Dillon. āI also like its Celliant-infused cover, a feature found on a handful of foam mattresses meant to help promote more restful, reparative sleep.ā For more, check out our Amerisleep As5 review.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Lux plush (4 to 6) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Pros
Motion-isolating design is great for couples
Comfortable for back sleepers
Soft, supportive construction may help with back pain
Cons
Some reviewers note edge support is lacking
Not great for stomach sleepers or heavy sleepers
The Leesa Legend is a soft-to-medium mattress for back sleepers, coming in at a 4 to 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, according to Leesa. The mattress, which is designed to isolate motion, has two types of foam above a zoned layer that combines foam and micro-pocket springs. Beneath is a transition layer followed by a āquick responseā layer of springs, and finally a supportive base (also springs). The combination makes for the softest mattress in Leesaās lineup, which may help with back pain, according to the company.
Leesa also has sound ethical practices, such as donating one mattress for every 10 sold. The cover is made from a blend of materials, including organic cotton, wool and recycled bottles.
What the reviews say: āI have been amazed and thrilled with the quality and comfort of my Leesa Legend. We have two Legends nowāone in the guest room (queen size) and one in our bedroom (king size). Both mattresses are equally comfortable.ā
Hybrid design adds support and promotes airflow for cooler sleep
Comfortable for back sleepers
Tall and cushioning for a contoured feel
Cons:
Some reviewers note itās lacking in edge support and support for heavy sleepers
With a 6.5 firmness rating, itās not as plush as others on our list
If you prefer an ultra-plush feel, this pillow-top mattress from DreamCloud should be on your radar. Crafted with a 1-inch cashmere pillow top and soft memory foam, your body sinks into the mattress (in all the right ways) for ultimate pressure relief and comfort. For added stability, it has a base layer of individually wrapped coils that provide support and improve breathability so it doesnāt trap heat like memory-foam-only options can.
What our editors say: āGet the best of both worlds between support and gentle pressure relief with the DreamCloud Premier Rest, a plush mattress with comfortable memory foam layers that are slightly neutralized by the bedās light, fluffy pillow top,ā says Dillon. āItās truly a luxurious pick with a very reasonable price tag.ā For a more in-depth look, read our DreamCloud Premier Rest review.
Best Affordable Soft Mattress
A Comfortable Hybrid On Sale For Less Than $1,000
MOST POPULAR
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Signature Hybrid (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft (3), medium (5) or firm (7) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
Reasonable price point
Choice of firmness
Responsive and pressure-relieving
Cons:
Some reviewers say itās lacking in edge support
Cooling pillow top is an upgrade
The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid is one of our favorite affordable hybrid mattresses, and is a great choice for those searching for a soft bed under $1,000. (Although this mattress technically retails for $1,332, Brooklyn Bedding regularly offers sales that help bring the price down.) This mattress blends a base of nearly 1,000 individually wrapped coils with two memory foam comfort layers: one layer to help relieve pressure around the shoulders and hips, and another, more responsive foam layer so you can switch positions easily. It comes in soft, medium and firm optionsāthough we recommend the soft model for side sleepers, lightweight sleepers and those who prefer the feeling of a plush bed.
What our editors say: āThe Signature mattress is one of my personal favorites,ā says Dillon. āIt has a lot to offer for side sleepers who just want a comfortable, quality mattress. Iād opt for the medium if youāre an average to heavy side sleeper who wants a balance between soft and firm, but the soft if you want an ultra-cushy, plush feel.ā
Best Soft Luxury Mattress
A Quality Mattress With Additional Lumbar Support
Helix Sleep
Helix Sunset Luxe (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft (2 to 3) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years
Pros:
Zoned lumbar support for spinal alignment
Breathable cover wicks moisture
Particularly well-suited to side sleepers
Cons:
Cooling cover is an upgrade
Some reviewers report prolonged off-gassing
If youāre looking for a soft mattress that rivals the best hotel beds, we recommend the Helix Sunset Luxe. The mattress is made with the brandās soft, responsive foam and is designed to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders to help you stay comfortable all night. It comes equipped with zoned lumbar support to keep you comfortable and your back aligned, with a softer area under your shoulders and a firmer one under your hips. Plus, its breathable Tencel, bamboo-derived cover promotes airflow and wicks moisture away, keeping you cool so you can (hopefully) toss and turn a bit less. Want something even cooler? For an extra $199, you can upgrade to the GlacioTex Cooling Cover, which has fibers made to rapidly dissipate heat.
What our editors say: āI donāt recommend compromising on support when youāre living with back pain. The Helix Sunset Luxe is one of those beds that feels soft and pressure-relieving. It has plenty of give for your hips and shoulders, without letting your back sag into the bed. Its strong hybrid design helps promote better spinal alignment,ā says Dillon.
Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers
Memory Foam Without Any Compromises
Nolah Sleep
Nolah Signature 12 (Queen)
Forbes Vetted readers get $50 off anyNolah mattress by entering code FORBES50 at checkout (can be used on top of other promo codes).
Signature foam is responsive and pressure-relieving without trapping heat
Zoned support is well-suited to side and back sleepers
CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified with zero fiberglass
Cons:
Contouring foam feel may not appeal to stomach sleepers
All-foam construction may lack support for heavier sleepers
If you want to feel hugged by your mattress instead of swallowed, the Nolah Signature could be the right pick. Itās made with the companyās proprietary AirFoam, a durable, high-resilience foam that contours gently and offers exceptional pressure relief and quick response. Plus, according to Nolah, it doesnāt trap body heat like memory foam tends to. Itās one of the best mattresses for side sleepers because of its soft cushioning around the hips and shoulders, and the mattress doesnāt skimp on stable support thatās necessary to keep your spine in a comfortable, neutral position.
What our editors say: āThe Nolah Signature offers an amount of sinkage that feels like a gentle hug. The foams contour to the shoulder and hip, offering relief while side sleeping,ā says senior sleep and mattress editor Bridget Chapman. āThe Signature did a great job isolating motion in my tests and I found it to have good edge support (especially for an all-foam bed)āso couples could like it, too.ā
Lifted feel and zoned support for proper spinal alignment
Cons:
Not good for memory foam lovers
One of the firmer mattresses on this list
Saatva has garnered a reputation for superior support, and the Saatva Classic is no exception. In fact, the Classic gets a nod in our list of the best mattresses for back pain. This hybrid is sold in three firmnesses, and Saatva says its plush soft version is a 3 out of 10 on its firmness scale. That translates to a plush, body-hugging feel thatās particularly well-suited to side sleepers.
The Classic has the same spring base, regardless of which firmness you choose, which ensures edge support. What differs among the firmness levels is the foam layer directly beneath the cover. On the plush soft version, the company uses a lower density (a.k.a. softer) foam, which is what lends the mattress a soft feel, according to a customer service representative. Additional support strategically placed in the center third of the mattress helps maintain spinal alignment in any position.
What our editors say: āThe Saatva Classic Mattress is a blend between a supportive innerspring mattress and luxurious hotel mattress,ā says Dillon. āBy that, I mean its dual-coil design makes it ultra supportive like reliable innerspring beds, but it has additional foam layers for cushion and a plush Euro top to make it feel extra cuddly. Pro tip: Side sleepers should opt for the plush soft model, which I rate around a medium on the firmness scale.ā For more on the Classic, read our in-depth Saatva Classic review.
Not supportive enough for heavyweight sleepers (check out the WinkBed Plus instead)
Couples who love the plush and cradling sensation of a soft mattress should appreciate the standout features of the softest version of the WinkBed, which the company rates as a 4 out of 10 on its firmness scale. The soft, pressure-relieving foam in the comfort layer isolates motion well, so partners who toss and turn or get up in the night wonāt risk disturbing one another. The WinkBed also has a reinforced support system around the mattressās perimeter, which maximizes the sleep surface. This is an important consideration for couples who sleep on a queen, but still like to stretch out at night and need the extra space to do it.
What our editors say: āIts bright white cover, airy Euro top and inviting polkadot trim is just as comfortable to jump into as it looks. Itās built to be ultra supportive with ample pressure relief and give, making it appealing to a wide audience of sleepers,ā says Dillon. āCushy mattress lovers should especially enjoy the softer WinkBed model.ā
Delivers all the benefits of memory foam with a hugging sensation
Cons:
Hot sleepers may find it runs too warm
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is an affordable pick with cradling memory foam. It delivers pressure relief, close contouring and excellent motion isolationāthree hallmarks of the material. While memory foam also traditionally retains heat, there are a few cooling upgrades in the Nectar, including a breathable cover and a gel infusion in the foam. That should suffice if you run a little warm, but very hot sleepers might want to consider upgrading to the hybrid version for better airflow. While the brand rates the Nectar as a medium-firm mattress, it has the sink-in softness many people crave.
What our editors say: āI think the Nectar Mattress skews softer than medium-firm and offers cushiony sinkage, but the foams also quickly rise up after you move so you donāt feel trapped in the bed,ā says Chapman.
Forbes Vetted contributor Jessica Timmons has been writing about mattress and sleep products for over a decade. She covered the best pillow-top mattresses and memory foam mattresses, which are both known for their soft feel.
Mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon are certified sleep scientists and prolific mattress testers, whoāve collectively researched and tried hundreds of mattresses. They oversee this guide and its updates.
This guide is frequently updated to keep our advice as current as possible. It was last updated in June 2024 by Garrett to answer common questions about soft mattresses.
How We Chose The Best Soft Mattresses
To compile this list, we sought out soft mattresses from brands we trust, compared key features and leveraged our teamās mattress-testing expertise.
We identified the most popular soft mattresses (a.k.a. beds with a firmness rating between 3 to 6 on a 1 to 10 point scale) from tried and tested brands.
We dove into each mattressās features, paying special attention to pressure relief, support and the quality of materials used. (Just because a mattress is soft doesnāt mean it should be unsupportive or flimsy.)
We made sure every mattress on our list comes with a generous trial period, so you can test your bed risk-free.
What To Consider When Buying A Soft Mattress
Deciding you want a soft mattress is the first step. To narrow down your choices, consider other factors such as sleep position and materials.
Mattress Type
Most of todayās most popular soft mattresses are either all-foam, latex or hybrids. Itās rare to see an innerspring mattress that classifies as soft. (True innerspring beds are made from mostly coils with a thin comfort layer up top.)
Memory foam: Ultra-soft mattress seekers might love the more plush feel of foam-only mattresses. Memory foam beds typically make you feel more āinā the mattress than āonā the mattress, meaning you sink into the bed more. However, these mattresses can run warmer, so they might not be the best choice for hot sleepers.
Hybrid: For hot sleepers who prefer a soft feel, hybrid mattresses are a good choice. These beds pair soft, cushiony layers of foam with coils for a more balanced feel. However, depending on the firmness level, you can still find hybrid beds that feel as plush as a memory foam mattress.
Latex: Latex mattresses are bouncier than memory foam and excel at deep contouring. These beds can feel just as soft and pressure-relieving as memory foam, but you donāt get the same sinking sensation since latex is naturally very responsive.
Firmness
While all the mattresses on this list are considered soft, there are varying levels of softnessāand the additions of pillow tops and airy foam layers can add extra plushness. Someone who enjoys the feel of a soft bed but needs a bit more support might want to look for a medium-soft model. Meanwhile, regular side sleepers might want a truly soft option.
Most retailers rate the level of firmness on a scale of 1 to 10 to help you gauge the the balance of softness and support. It can give you a decent idea of how firm or soft a mattress feels. However, this scale isnāt standardized across companies, so take it with a grain of salt and realize that a mattress may feel different to you depending on a lot of factors, including your weight and sleep position.
Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleep position has a big impact on what you find most comfortable. Generally, people who sleep on their side prefer softer mattresses because they have enough give to cradle joints without putting extra pressure on them. Back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, are typically more comfortable on a firmer bed.
Body Weight
Your body weight directly impacts how soft a mattress feels. In general, standard mattresses are designed to support between 230 to 250 pounds per side. If you weigh more than 250 pounds, a mattress may feel softer than advertised; if you weigh less than 130 pounds, it typically feels firmer. Thatās why average-weight to lightweight sleepers are the best fit for soft mattresses since they donāt sink into their mattress as much and benefit from deeper contouring.
Health Conditions
Chronic health issues, such as back, hip, neck or joint pain, should also be considered when youāre shopping for a soft mattress. While a softer mattress can offer cushioning designed to relieve some types of pain, you canāt overlook sufficient support to ensure a neutral spine. Otherwise, you run the risk of trading one type of pain for another.
What Are The Benefits Of A Soft Mattress?
Soft mattresses offer ample pressure relief and cushioning for side sleepers and lightweight individuals. They also help support a healthy spine alignment and provides a more comfort sleep. Because of this, theyāre often associated with the notion of āsleeping on a cloud.ā
Who Is a A Soft Mattress Best For?
Soft mattresses are best for side sleepers and lightweight individuals who weigh under 150 pounds. Soft mattress excel at pressure relief. For side sleepers, this means the mattress contours around the hips and shoulders to help maintain a healthy alignment. For lightweight sleepers, who typically find mattresses firmer than advertised, a soft mattress provides a more cushioned sleeping surface.
Which Type Of Mattress Is The Softest?
Memory foam mattresses are generally softer than innerspring, hybrid and latex models. However, if you donāt like the sinking feeling of traditional memory foam, hybrid mattresses offer a more balanced, on-top-of-the-bed feel thanks to their soft comfort layers and supportive coil base.
