Buying a soft mattress can be challenging. Because even if a softer mattress is your preference, you still need a mattress that is going to provide you with enough support to prevent back pain and ensure your posture is healthy.
If sleeping on a soft cloud like surface sounds like a dream, we have you covered. We’ve tested the best soft mattresses on the market and can tell you which ones are worth your money. The end result being a bed that is as comfortable as you want it to be without becoming a literal pain in the back.
Best Soft Mattress In 2020 – The Softest Beds Available
Lucid Plush Memory Foam and Latex Mattress
Lucid have utilized the knowledge of their best engineers to develop this ultra plush hybrid mattress. It consists of 4 different individual layers which are made from high density foam, memory foam and latex to provide an exceptionally soft sleeping surface.
Ventilation and cooling enhancements are provided through the use of gel and charcoal infusion technology, which makes for a great mattress for warm sleepers and those who suffer from night sweats.
Those who sleep on their side will love Lucid’s Plush series as they’ve been designed with side sleepers in mind, with a core focus on pressure relief and comfort.
We’re a big fan of this mattress and declare it the best all round soft mattress available.
Classic Brands Cool Gel 2.0 Memory Foam Mattress
Classic Brands have focused on comfort, support and pressure relief for their top of the line memory foam mattress.
Its constructed from three layers of foam, the bottom being a high-density support layer, the middle a polyfoam support layer and the top a thick gel infused layer of memory foam. Whilst a different approach to other soft beds, this one works very well as its soft without compromising on total body support.
The cooling sensation provided by the Cool Gel memory foam and the breathable middle layer is exceptional which should delight warm sleepers. We found it just right with a great cool to the touch feeling.
The quilted cover is an unusual touch, but we like it as it provides a little individuality to what is typically a plain looking product.
A great alternative choice in our eyes.
Shopping for a Classic Brands mattress? Read our full Classic Brands mattress review.
Zinus Cloud Memory Foam Mattress
Zinus have dared to call this mattress the Cloud and it’s a move that’s paid off.
4 layers of foam and a top pillow quilted layer have been combined to produce a fantastically plush mattress that doesn’t sacrifice support to achieve it. Linus put it down to their use of both comfort foam and memory foam as well as their microfiber cover, but whatever they’ve done, it works.
Best of all, exceptional pressure relief ability is achieved to make a great mattress for those who struggle with hip and shoulder pain.
Our only reservation is that this mattress doesn’t utilize any cooling technology which might be an issue if you sleep warm.
Casper Sleep Memory Foam Mattress
Casper are known for producing award winning bed-in-a-box mattresses, with this model good enough to make it onto our list.
Casper utilized what they refer to as Zoned Support which provides for variable support across the length and width of the mattress. The firmer zones are underneath your hips with a plusher zone where your shoulders lie.
Its an interesting approach and actually works well it practice, providing a good compromise between support and plushness, ultimately resulting in good spinal alignment. This make it one of the better choices for every type of sleeper, whether side, stomach or back.
Sadly, this mattress does sleep hot despite incorporating a breathable open-cell structure. Since the cover is removable, one option could be to replace it for a material cooler to the touch.
Casper do offer a 100 night trial so we suggest testing this mattress out at home to see if its right for you. If it isn’t, simply return it for a full refund.
Sleep Innovations Shiloh Memory Foam Mattress
Sleep Innovations claim they’ve produced a medium-soft mattress that is suitable for every type of sleeper.
It utilizes Suretemp memory foam for the top layer which is not only cooling but also offers comfort and support in equal measure. Beneath this layer is a second layer of channelled memory foam which is designed to allow airflow to circulate throughout the bed and further enhance the cooling effect of the top layer.
The cover is a luxurious soft knit material which further enhances the comfort of this mattress and also provides a high-quality feel.
If you’re looking for a supportive softer mattress but need it to remain cool all night, we can firmly recommend Sleep Innovation’s Shiloh mattress.
The Benefits of a Soft Mattress
Plush mattresses do provide benefits for those who are suited to them. These benefits include the sensation of being hugged or cradled by memory foam contouring as well as the feeling of lying on a pillow of air. From a health point of view, adequate pressure relief is also a signature feature of softer beds and will bring significant relief if your knees, hips or shoulders are sore.
Who Needs to Sleep on a Soft Mattress?
There are two factors involved when considering the firmness level of a mattress. The first is personal preference and the second is the direct impact on your body and thus your health.
Spending 8 hours a night in bed requires that your body is properly supported and aligned, and this is only possible with the right firmness (and support) level.
With that in mind, soft mattresses are best for people who sleep on their side. This is because a softer surface provides pressure relief for your knees, shoulders and your hips, the parts of your body in contact with the mattress. This in turn results in better spinal alignment.
Soft mattresses are usually better for lighter people (weighing under 150 lbs) too, as they’ll sink far better into the top layers of supportive memory foam.
Who Doesn’t Need to Sleep on a Soft Mattress?
Those who suffer from back pain should stay away from this type of mattress as they are unlikely to provide the required amount of support, resulting in greater back pain instead of less.
People who weigh more than 150 lbs should also look for a firmer mattress as they’re likely to sink right through each layer of foam in the softest mattresses that are available to buy.
Those who like to sleep on their stomachs (stomach sleepers) and those who like to sleep on their backs (back sleepers) are also better off with a medium firm mattress or harder. Mattresses for combination sleepers are also firmer and are better suited to them.
Soft Mattress Buying Considerations
Now you know whether a plush bed is for you or not, there are several other important aspects to take into consideration before making your purchase whether a queen sized or king sized mattress or smaller.
Firmness vs Support
There is a fine line between mattress firmness and support but its important to know the difference between the two terms.
The firmness level refers to whether or not the mattress feels soft or hard, whether you’re touching it, sitting on it or lying on it.
The term support refers to have well it’s supporting your body while you’re lying down.
The former is far easier to check for, but the latter is more important.
Material
The plushest mattresses are almost solely made from memory foam, as foam makes for a surface much softer than even the best springs. Any soft mattress that does contain innersprings is likely to be a hybrid mattress that still features a layer of memory foam on top.
Memory foam is a fantastic material, but it does come with a few other considerations. Latex is also an option although you will usually exchange plushness for a little more bounce.
There are other types of mattresses but they won’t be as soft and are better suited to other uses.
Temperature (Are You a Warm Sleeper?)
Some of us have a naturally high body temperature which usually translates into being uncomfortably hot while sleeping at night.
This can become an issue as soft memory foam retains a significant amount of heat, much more than other materials. The result being a mattress that is simply too warm to sleep on comfortably.
If you’re a warm sleeper and need a soft bed, make sure to look for a mattress with a built-in cooling solution such as copper or gel infused memory foam which dissipate heat. A mattress constructed from latex is also cooler than memory foam so its worth looking out for this material.
Each manufacturer is likely to have their own unique airflow or cooling system so be sure to look into the details.
Edge Support
Edge support relates to the construction on the outside perimeter of the mattresses surface. If you sleep next to someone, you are more likely to move closer to the edge for more space.
Unfortunately, the edge of a mattress isn’t the most supportive place. Soft mattresses struggle even more in this regard so look for improved edge support if you rarely sleep alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Soft Mattress Cause Back Pain?
It sounds counterintuitive but plush mattresses can actually be the root cause of backpain while sleeping. The reason being that your body isn’t getting the support it needs which results in poor spine alignment.
If you’re used to sinking into the bed, try exchanging your old mattress for a firmer one and see if that relieves your pain. Many bed manufacturers will allow you to trial a new mattress in your home so be sure to take advantage of this option.
Can I Buy a Plush Mattress Topper Instead?
A mattress topper can be a great solution if you’ve recently bought a new bed and find it too firm. A good mattress topper will remove some of this firmness and allow you to sink into the bed a little more.
Buying a soft mattress topper for an older bed is usually counterintuitive as it is likely to be worn and past its best. Simply purchase a new bed instead.
Final Verdict
We hope you now feel well equipped to go and buy the softest mattress of your dreams. It can be difficult sifting through all of the technical jargon, but we’ve covered the most important factors in this guide.
Simply look through our top picks as we believe we’ve found the softest beds around and make your choice. We guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.
