Best Soft Mattresses: Top Plush Mattresses Reviewed and Tested by Experts (2025)

Helix offers a broad range of hybrid mattresses with different firmnesses, and the Sunset is its softest model. The Sunset’s combination of innerspring coils and memory foam creates a balanced feel—the latter of which “cradles hips and alleviates pressure,” per our expert tester Marten. He also proclaimed that “The Helix Sunset is great for side sleepers and fans of plush mattresses.” This is in part due to its 5.5/10 firmness score (on the plusher side) and 5/5 pressure relief score.

Our testers also found that they didn’t sink too much into the bed when resting on it, and experienced comfort and contouring while still getting plenty of support from the Sunset’s responsive foam and coiled layers. This earned it a 4/5 in support. But it’s also important to note that our heavier tester and stomach-sleeping testers found the Sunset to be a no-go. It was simply too soft to offer the support they needed.

Other areas the Helix Sunset excelled were motion isolation and edge support, scoring a 4/5 in both categories. Couples should appreciate how the soft foams keep movement from traveling across the bed’s surface, in addition to how the structured sides allow them to spread out to their heart’s content. It’s also fairly cooling (4/5), thanks to a breathable cover and individually wrapped coils that keep air flowing through the mattress. Because this bed is so well-rounded, the only thing you’ll really need to consider is whether it accommodates your body type and preferred sleeping position. 

Read our full Helix Sunset review for more information. Helix also offers an upgraded model, the Helix Sunset Luxe, which we also reviewed.

Soft mattresses are a match made in heaven for side sleepers. When it comes to the best soft mattress for side sleepers, we recommend the Nectar Premier. As our tester Marten put it: “It has a balanced foam feel, meaning it’s soft and pressure-relieving, but it’s also easy to move around on. Perfect for side sleepers who might change positions through the night.” To back up Marten’s insight, we tested the Nectar Premier and gave it a 4/5 in both support and in pressure relief. It earned a 6.5/10 on our firmness scale, but its next-level contouring and pressure relief make it feel a bit softer.

The Nectar Premier goes above and beyond the typical all-foam mattress. Foam beds are known to trap heat, but Nectar defies this stereotype by designing its foam layers to be more breathable and outfitting the Premier with a cooling cover. This is why we gave the Premier an unusually high score (4.5/5) for its ability to keep sleepers cool. A lack of edge support is also a common complaint among foam beds, but Marten noted minimal sinkage when he sat on the perimeter of this bed and felt secure lying near it, too. So, the Premier earned a 4/5 in this category as well.

Our testers enjoyed sleeping on this bed on their back as well, so you might like the Premier if you switch between side- and back-sleeping. That said, as a foam bed, it doesn’t have the greatest responsiveness (3.5/5), which makes moving around on its surface a bit of a challenge. Some heavyweight sleepers might also find the bed too soft to properly support them, and the same goes for stomach sleepers, who fare better on firmer mattresses. If this sounds like you, you might prefer the original Nectar, which is on the firmer side.

For more information, check out our full Nectar Premier review.

Many folks associate a luxury mattress with a cushy, cloud-like feel. Well, let me introduce you to the DreamCloud Premier, a soft mattress with a high-end feel. This is in part due to the cashmere-blend cover and comfy Euro top, which had Martin saying, “The DreamCloud Premier makes me feel like I’m resting in the lap of luxury.” We gave it a 6.5/10, which is considered a medium feel, but the pillow top lends it plenty of plush cushioning.

In terms of who might like the DreamCloud Premier, Marten thought that the medium-soft firmness level “works well for a variety of people.” He noted, “I felt very supported when I rested on my back, and I felt lots of pressure relief when I slept on my side.” Marten is a heavyweight sleeper and found it supportive in both these positions, earning it high scores in pressure relief (4.5/5) and support (4/5). We also found the bed had a decent amount of bounce (4.5/5), despite the cushy pillow top, so it should make it easier to switch between these two positions if you’re a combination sleeper—or if you are sexually active and want a bouncy surface.

The DreamCloud Premier’s edge support, however, left something to be desired (3.5/5). Marten didn’t feel secure sitting or lying at the bed’s perimeter, so we wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for robust edges. Also, while soft, the DreamCloud Premier doesn’t have that signature memory foam “sink” to it; you’ll likely feel like you’re lying “on top” of this bed rather than “in” it. For fans of a more classic, slow-moving memory foam feel, the bed does come in an all-foam option, or you could try the WinkBeds GravityLux, our pick for a soft memory foam mattress.

For more information, read our full DreamCloud Premier mattress review.

Athletes need a bed that’ll help them recover after a hard workout, and oftentimes a soft bed can provide that mix of cushioning and support through its cradling feel. The Bear Elite Hybrid uses a zoned-support and pressure-relieving design to offer restorative sleep to people who seek muscle recovery and relief from inflammation. For this, we gave the bed high marks in support (4.5/5) and pressure relief (4.5/5). While promoted for athletes due to Bear’s mission to relieve pain, this design could also help seniors or anyone struggling with back or joint pain. We tested the Bear Elite Hybrid in Medium, but it also comes in a Soft model for those wanting a truly plush feel.

Fellow tester Elisa noted the bed has a “luxurious plush feel while still offering support, thanks to the strong coils and soft foam.” This combination made it great for both back and side sleepers. Marten also liked this bed in these positions, so it should be supportive enough for most heavyweight sleepers. It’s possible that the Soft model may be too soft for some back sleepers, though, and definitely won’t be firm enough for stomach sleepers. 

The Bear Elite Hybrid scored 4s and above in nearly every category. It has solid edge support (4.5/5) and bounce (4/5) from its coils, temperature regulation from its cooling cover (4.5/5), and high-quality, durable materials (4.5/5). It only notably lacks in motion isolation (3.5/5), though its failings here are not too egregious—it just doesn’t have enough motion control to satisfy light sleepers who share the bed with a restless partner. These shoppers might like the Helix Sunset instead.

Read our complete Bear Elite Hybrid review for more information.

The GravityLux by WinkBeds is the brand’s sole all-foam offering. Fortunately for soft mattress seekers, it comes in multiple firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. (It’s worth noting that we tried out the Medium, which we rated at a 7/10, but the Soft model should be closer to a 6). During Marten’s testing of this bed, he “was impressed by the WinkBeds GravityLux’s slow-moving feel and pressure-relieving foam.” Based on our testing we gave it a 4.5/5 in the pressure relief category.

We recommend the GravityLux for back sleepers, as it has a bit of lift that keeps you from sinking in and getting swaddled by the comfort layers. Unfortunately, though, it’s not firm enough to keep stomach sleepers’ hips elevated. Marten called the GravityLux “a durable mattress that will work well for side sleepers.” Foam can sag sooner than a bed with coils, but we believe the GravityLux’s high-density foams will add longevity, hence its 4/5 score in for durability.

We also gave this bed a decent cooling score (4/5), a surprising feat for a foam bed. As Marten put it, “This bed has some impressive cooling features, so it shouldn’t cause sleepers to overheat at night.” This is thanks to the bed’s breathable cover and the cooling gel-infused, open-celled foams. The edges also held up well (4/5), only sinking a couple inches when Marten sat on the perimeter. Couples should appreciate this because it gives them more surface area, as well as the bed’s ability to absorb motion (4.5/5) from movements across the surface.

If you want a bed with more response, you might like the WinkBed’s original hybrid mattress. Otherwise, read our full GravityLux review for more information.

Despite being labeled as a “value” mattress, this affordable hybrid bed is a star in almost every category.. We were especially impressed with the bed’s cooling capability (4/5), which should tempt most cost-conscious hot sleepers. Per Marten, “If you tend to overheat at night, like myself, you’ll love the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid. This mattress features cooling foams and coils that promote airflow.” Aside from that, the Signature Hybrid excels in a broad range of areas, belying its lack of fancy features.

In addition to quality cooling, the Signature Hybrid also impressed our testers with its durability (4/5). The Signature is built to last, as Brooklyn Bedding doesn’t cut corners on its sourced materials, compared to inferior hybrids you may find at the same price. The coils are the star here; they give the bed its super bouncy surface (4.5/5) and stabilize the perimeter for some top-notch edge support (4/5). The only downside of these coils is that they impede the bed’s ability to absorb movement (3/5), since we noticed quite a bit of disturbance during our motion isolation tests of the bed.

Marten noted that the Medium model of the Signature Hybrid “also has a balanced hybrid feel. You’ll feel like you’re resting on top of the bed, rather than ‘inside’ it.” He in turn gave it a 4/5 for support. We also gave it a 4/5 for pressure relief, docking one point when we noticed some buildup in our shoulders while side-sleeping—but this might be rectified by purchasing the Soft model. Overall, average-weight back sleepers will get the most from the Signature Hybrid. 

If you want a hybrid with a bit more flash, consider the luxurious Saatva mattress. Otherwise, you can check out more cooling mattresses, or read the full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review.

Suffering from back pain? Your mattress might be the culprit. If a too-firm bed is causing your spinal woes, consider a softer bed like the Nolah Signature. Our tester Elisa praised the Signature’s pain-relieving abilities, saying “I love the Nolah Signature because it cushions my joints and helps alleviate back pain. It has a balanced memory foam feel that I can gently sink into.” This balance is achieved by a combination of pressure-relieving foams on top and supportive ones on bottom, which earned it a 4.5 and 4 in the two performance categories, respectively.

Couples with back pain might also love the Signature, especially if they sleep light and/or have a restless partner. Elisa noted, “Because of its thick comfort layer, it isolates motion well. If you share a bed with someone, you shouldn’t feel their movements come over to your side of the bed.” These foams might absorb motion, but they certainly don’t trap heat the way standard memory foam tends to. In our cooling test, we  recorded only a negligible temperature increase after lying on the Signature for five minutes, which led us to give it an above-average 4/5 for cooling. 

In addition to folks with back pain, side sleepers in general should love the Signature’s cushy upper layers. Our 6.5/10 firmness rating is a little misleading here, as we’d say it has a particular plush feel. For this reason, it may not work for all back sleepers, and definitely not stomach sleepers. Most heavyweight sleepers will also want something on the firmer side or with coils, like Nolah’s Evolution Hybrid. Folks looking for better edge support (3/5) and response (3.5/5) might also like the Evolution.

For more information, read our full Nolah Signature review.

Marten summed up the Saatva Classic quite nicely, saying, “The mattress has a classic innerspring feel that our testers know and love. Its plush pillow top and strong coil system offered me the right amount of comfort and support during testing.” For this, Marten gave the Saatva a support score of 4.5/5. I personally sleep on the Luxury Firm model of the Saatva Classic and couldn’t agree more with his assessment. And based on our assessment, the Soft model retains all the luxury and quality of its firmer counterparts.

As a combination sleeper, I rotate between all three positions as I sleep, and found the Saatva to be comfortable in each. The two spring layers not only offer support but also give the bed some crazy bounce (4.5/5). This makes moving around on the surface a breeze. However, it also means I feel every little movement from the other side of the bed—so you’d better hope your partner sleeps like the dead or you’re not easily awakened like me. Based on my pattern of sleep interruption, I’m not surprised by the bed’s low score for motion isolation (3/5).

But don’t let this deter you. Saatva scored high in other categories, like cooling (4/5) and edge support (4.5/5). It’s also built to last and made with high-quality materials (including two innerspring units!), earning a 4/5 durability score. Another perk you won’t want to miss is Saatva’s deluxe shipping practices. I took full advantage of Saatva’s free white glove delivery when moving. A team came to my house to set up my new mattress and even got rid of my old one, taking out most of the hassle.

Want a bed with better motion isolation? You might like the Nolah Signature instead. Otherwise, feel free to read more in our Saatva review, or check out our other best innerspring mattresses.

The word “soft” might conjure images of doughy beds that are prone to indentations or sagging, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid has a strong coil unit to back up its cushy foams, ensuring the bed is built to last. That’s why we gave it a 4.5/5 for durability. Another way we can tell this bed won’t sag is its robust edge support, for which we gave the bed a 4/5 score. Marten noted that “The edge is reinforced on this mattress, so I felt very comfortable all the way at the side of the bed.”

We tested out the Medium Sapira Chill Hybrid, but Leesa does offer a Soft model. Marten liked the Sapira Chill on his side, noting that even as a larger sleeper, he still got plenty of pressure relief (4.5/5). In our review, he noted that this should be even more true of the Soft version. Those coils that give the bed its durability also contribute to its support (4.5/5). We thought it was comfortable in each position, though some stomach sleepers might prefer the Firm model.

The moniker “Chill” might have you wondering if this bed truly sleeps cool. Our ⅘ cooling score speaks for itself, as our testers found that the coiled layer helped elevate airflow and breathability to the bed’s upper foam layers. If I had to find something that might deter shoppers from the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid, it’d probably be the price. Budget shoppers, you might be better off with a Nectar Premier or Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.

Read our full review of the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid for an even deeper look at this bed.