Quick Guide: Is a Soft Mattress Right for You?
A soft mattress is designed for sleepers who prefer a more cushioned and relaxed feel. Rather than giving you a firm, stable sensation beneath the body, softer comfort layers allow you to settle further into the mattress.
Choose Soft If...
You enjoy plush cushioning, a more embracing feel and less of the firm sensation associated with firmer mattresses.
Choose Medium-Soft If...
You want extra cushioning but would prefer a little more structure and resistance than a fully soft mattress.
Choose Medium If...
You want a more balanced combination of cushioning and support without a distinctly plush or firm feel.
What Is a Soft Mattress?
A soft mattress has comfort layers designed to compress more easily under your body than firmer mattress options. This creates a more cushioned surface and allows you to sink further into the mattress.
Soft does not necessarily mean unsupportive. The overall support of a mattress comes from its complete construction, including its springs, foam layers and other materials.
The key difference is the feel at the surface. A soft mattress generally gives you more cushioning and less resistance when you first lie down.
Soft vs Medium-Soft vs Medium
Understanding the difference between these firmness levels is one of the easiest ways to narrow down your choice.
| Feature | Soft | Medium-Soft | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall feel | Plush and cushioned | Soft with more structure | Balanced |
| Sink | More pronounced | Moderate | Less pronounced |
| Cushioning | Highest | High | Moderate |
| Best for | Plush-feel sleepers | Softer comfort with added stability | Balanced comfort and support |
Firmness ratings can vary between manufacturers, so treat the rating as a guide rather than an exact measurement.
Benefits of a Soft Mattress
Plush Comfort
Soft comfort layers create a more cushioned sleeping surface for people who dislike a firm feel.
Pressure Cushioning
The softer surface can provide additional cushioning around areas such as the shoulders and hips.
Relaxed Feel
A soft mattress can create a more enveloping sensation for sleepers who prefer to settle into their mattress.
Wide Choice
Soft mattresses are available in pocket sprung, memory foam and hybrid constructions, giving you different ways to achieve a softer feel.
Are Soft Mattresses Good for Different Sleeping Positions?
Your sleeping position is an important starting point, but body shape, weight and personal preference also influence how a mattress feels.
| Sleeping Position | Soft Mattress | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Side sleepers | Often a good match | Extra cushioning can make the shoulders and hips feel more comfortable. |
| Back sleepers | Depends on preference | Consider whether the mattress still feels sufficiently supportive around the middle of the body. |
| Front sleepers | Usually less suitable | A very soft surface may allow the hips and stomach to sink further than preferred. |
If you mainly sleep on your front, a medium-firm or firm mattress may be worth considering instead. Explore Mattresses for Front Sleepers →
Does Body Weight Affect How Soft a Mattress Feels?
Yes. The same mattress can feel different to different people because body weight affects how deeply the comfort layers compress.
Lighter Sleepers
May experience less compression and could find a soft mattress feels closer to medium than expected.
Average-Weight Sleepers
May experience the intended balance of cushioning and sink described by the manufacturer.
Heavier Sleepers
May sink further into softer comfort layers and may prefer a mattress with a stronger support structure.
This is why firmness should never be chosen from the rating alone. Consider your body weight, sleeping position and preferred feel together.
Which Mattress Type Is Best for a Soft Feel?
Soft Memory Foam
A strong option if you want a contouring, pressure-relieving feel with more body moulding.
Soft Pocket Springs
Combines softer comfort layers with individually responsive springs for cushioning with more bounce.
Soft Hybrid
Combines spring support with foam or other comfort layers to create a softer overall feel.
Soft Luxury Mattress
Often uses additional comfort layers and premium materials to create a more indulgent, cushioned feel.
Soft vs Firm: Which Should You Choose?
| Consideration | Soft | Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Plush and cushioned | Stable and structured |
| Sink | More sink | Less sink |
| Cushioning | Higher | Lower at the surface |
| Typical preference | Sleepers who want a softer, more embracing feel | Sleepers who prefer stronger resistance and stability |
Neither is automatically better. The right firmness is the one that gives you a comfortable combination of cushioning and support for your body.
Are Soft Mattresses Good for Couples?
A soft mattress can work well for couples when both sleepers enjoy a cushioned feel. However, firmness becomes more complicated when two people have different preferences.
Both Prefer Soft
A soft mattress can provide a consistent plush feel that suits both sleepers.
Different Preferences
A medium-soft or medium mattress may offer a more practical compromise between cushioning and firmness.
Different Body Types
Remember that the same mattress can feel softer or firmer depending on each sleeper's body weight and shape.
Does Your Bed Base Affect How Soft a Mattress Feels?
Yes. The mattress is the main source of comfort, but the base beneath it can influence the overall feel. A solid platform and a sprung base can create different levels of responsiveness beneath the same mattress.
Before buying a soft mattress, make sure your existing bed base is suitable for the mattress construction and in good condition.
Check Compatibility
Always check the mattress manufacturer's requirements for the type of base, slat spacing and support needed.
Read Our Mattress & Bed Base Compatibility Guide →Choose the Right Size and Depth
Once you've decided on firmness, don't overlook the practical details. Your new mattress must fit the bed correctly, and its depth can affect the finished height of your bed.
Mattress Size
Measure the internal mattress space of your bed rather than relying on the external dimensions of the frame.
Read the Mattress Size Guide →Mattress Depth
A deeper mattress can increase the overall bed height and may affect fitted sheet and headboard compatibility.
Read the Mattress Depth Guide →When Might a Soft Mattress Not Be the Best Choice?
A soft mattress isn't automatically unsuitable for any particular sleeper, but there are situations where a firmer option may be worth considering.
- You dislike sinking into a mattress: Medium or firm options generally provide more resistance beneath the body.
- You mainly sleep on your front: A softer mattress may allow more sink around the hips and stomach than you prefer.
- You need a more stable feel: Medium-firm or firm mattresses can provide a stronger sensation of support.
- You are choosing for different body types: A soft mattress can feel substantially different to each sleeper, particularly in a shared bed.
If you're unsure, compare soft with medium-soft before making your decision. The difference can be more subtle than jumping directly from soft to firm.
Soft Mattress Buying Checklist
01 · Check the Feel
Make sure you actually want a plush, cushioned feel rather than medium-soft or medium.
02 · Consider Your Position
Side sleepers often appreciate additional cushioning, while front sleepers may prefer greater firmness.
03 · Consider Your Weight
Your weight affects how deeply the mattress compresses and therefore how soft it feels.
04 · Choose the Construction
Compare memory foam, pocket springs and hybrid mattresses for different levels of contouring and responsiveness.
05 · Check Your Base
Make sure your existing bed base is compatible and provides appropriate support.
06 · Check Size & Depth
Confirm the mattress dimensions and consider how its depth will affect your finished bed height.
Soft Mattress FAQs
What is a soft mattress?
A soft mattress provides a more cushioned sleeping surface that allows the body to settle further into the comfort layers than on a firmer mattress.
Are soft mattresses good for side sleepers?
They can be. The additional cushioning can make a soft mattress appealing to side sleepers who prefer a more cushioned feel around the shoulders and hips.
Are soft mattresses supportive?
Yes. Softness and support are not the same thing. A soft mattress can have a supportive spring or foam core while providing a softer surface feel.
Is a soft mattress better than a firm mattress?
Neither is universally better. Soft mattresses suit people who prefer cushioning, while firm mattresses suit people who prefer a more structured and stable feel.
What is the difference between soft and medium-soft?
Soft mattresses generally provide more cushioning and sink, while medium-soft mattresses sit between soft and medium by adding more structure and resistance.
Are soft mattresses good for front sleepers?
They may not be the first choice for front sleepers because a softer mattress can allow the hips and stomach to sink further. A medium-firm or firm option may provide a more supportive feel.
Can a soft mattress help with pressure points?
The extra cushioning of a soft mattress can help reduce pressure at areas such as the shoulders and hips, particularly for side sleepers.
Does a soft mattress sleep hotter?
Not necessarily. Temperature depends on the mattress materials and construction, as well as bedding and room conditions. Memory foam, pocket springs and hybrid designs can all have different temperature characteristics.
Can you use a soft mattress on a divan?
Yes, provided the divan is the correct size and suitable for the mattress construction. Always check the manufacturer's compatibility requirements.
Need More Mattress Advice?
Still deciding which mattress is right for you? Explore our helpful guides for more information on firmness, mattress types, sizes, depth, bed bases and sleeping positions.
Ready to Find Your Soft Mattress?
Explore our soft mattress collection and compare different constructions, sizes and comfort levels to find the plush feel that's right for you.
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