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A good night’s sleep is essential to a healthy body and mind, both of which play a crucial role in mental health. That’s why it’s so important to find a bed that’s comfortable for you. For some people, that means seeking out a soft mattress. A softer mattress that provides contouring at the shoulders and hips but still provides ample support for spinal alignment can be a good fit for side sleepers.
In the list of the best soft mattresses below, we’ve included a variety of options so you can make an informed purchase.
Best soft mattress overall
Helix has an original line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. We chose the Helix Sunset for this list because it offers sleepers a cushy top layer of memory foam. At the same time, a bottom layer of wrapped coils provides support and works to keep sleepers from sinking too far into the bed.
HelpGuide Handbook for soft mattresses
Here’s five things you should know about soft mattresses:
Our picks for the best soft mattresses
- Helix Sunset: Best overall
- Nolah Original Hybrid: Best value soft mattress
- Bear Elite Hybrid: Best soft mattress for stomach sleepers
- Leesa Sapira Chill: Best soft mattress for side sleepers
- Puffy Cloud: Best soft memory foam mattress
- Birch Natural: Best soft mattress for back pain
HelpGuide Handbook’s mattress testing methodology
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress, as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
As our testers evaluated each brand and its features, we considered why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consulted sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structured our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we tested things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compared the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compared warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130–250 pounds), and higher-weight (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
Compare the best soft mattresses
Price | $937–$1,749 | $1,299–$2,798 | $1,893–$3,920 | $1,499–$2,399 | $1,949–$4,198 | $1,499–$2,499 |
Firmness | 5.5/10 | 5/10 | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6.5/10 |
Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Latex hybrid |
Warranty | 10 years | Yes | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | 25 years |
Trial period | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 101 nights | 100 nights |
Best for | Side and back sleepers | Side and back sleepers | Stomach sleepers and hot sleepers | Hot sleepers and side sleepers | Back and side sleepers and anyone wanting a memory foam feel | Eco-conscious shoppers and sleepers with back pain |
The best soft mattresses reviews
Best soft mattress overall: Helix Sunset
Best value soft mattress: Nolah Original Hybrid
Best soft mattress for stomach sleepers: Bear Elite Hybrid
Best soft mattress for side sleepers: Leesa Sapira Chill
Best soft memory foam mattress: Puffy Cloud
Best soft mattress for back pain: Birch Natural
Frequently asked questions
Side sleepers generally benefit from a soft mattress because it provides contouring and pressure relief at the shoulders and hips (the parts of the body where they put the most pressure).
It depends on your needs and preferences. We usually recommend that stomach sleepers and higher-weight sleepers (i.e., anyone over 250 pounds) look for a firmer mattress that can give them the support they need. That said, there are still soft options that can work for them; they’re just harder to find.
We classify a soft mattress as anything that scores a six or lower on our mattress firmness scale. For context, the industry standard for medium-firm is 6.5.
Generally, all-foam mattresses are softer than those made with other materials, although plenty of soft hybrid mattresses exist.
Yes, if it doesn’t have the right level of support. If back or hip pain concerns you, we recommend seeking a soft mattress with a layer of coils. These can give you a slight lift and help keep your joints and spine supported.
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- (2022, March 16). How sleep deprivation impacts mental health. Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Link
- Scott, A.J., Webb, T.L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60, 101556. Link