Best Soft Mattress of 2026
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Soft mattresses cushion the body and relieve pressure, making them popular with side sleepers and lighter people. The best ones still provide enough support underneath to keep your spine aligned.
At a glance
| # | Pick | Award | Score | Type | Firmness | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Layla Memory Foam Mattress | Best Overall Soft Mattress | 3.7 research | Memory Foam | 5.5/10 | $1,149 | Check Price |
| 2 | Nolah Evolution | Best Soft Hybrid | 4.0 research | Hybrid | 6.5/10 | $2,277 | Check Price |
| 3 | Saatva Classic | Best Soft Innerspring | 4.3 research | Innerspring | 6/10 | $2,229 | Check Price |
| 4 | Helix Midnight Luxe | Best for Side Sleepers | 3.5 research | Hybrid | 5.5/10 | $2,499 | Check Price |
| 5 | Amerisleep AS3 | Best Medium-Soft Memory Foam | 3.5 research | Memory Foam | 5/10 | $1,749 | Check Price |
#1
🏆 Best Overall Soft Mattress
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Research Score 3.7/5 Hands-on testing in progressMedium-soft side with copper-infused foam.
- Two firmness levels in one bed: just flip it
- Copper-infused memory foam on both sides
- Lifetime warranty covering sagging over 1"
- Shorter 120-night trial
- 10.5" profile is slimmer than many rivals
$1,149 queen
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#2
🏆 Best Soft Hybrid
Nolah Evolution
Research Score 4.0/5 Hands-on testing in progressPlush (4–5/10) version.
- Three firmness options
- Graphite-infused AirFoamICE for cooling
- Zoned (TriZone) coil support
- 15" height needs deep-pocket sheets
- Premium pricing
$2,277 queen
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#3
🏆 Best Soft Innerspring
Saatva Classic
Research Score 4.3/5 Hands-on testing in progressPlush Soft (3/10) Euro-top.
- Three firmness levels and two heights
- Dual-coil design with a lumbar support zone
- Free white-glove delivery and setup
- Higher price than most bed-in-a-box mattresses
- Innerspring feel: less body-hugging than memory foam
$2,229 queen
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#4
🏆 Best for Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight Luxe
Research Score 3.5/5 Hands-on testing in progressMedium-soft feel with a pillow top.
- Medium feel designed with side sleepers in mind
- Zoned coil support for the lumbar area
- Pillow-top quilting for extra cushioning
- Premium price compared with Helix’s core models
- Heavy (queen about 115 lb), so it’s hard to move alone
$2,499 queen
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#5
🏆 Best Medium-Soft Memory Foam
Amerisleep AS3
Research Score 3.5/5 Hands-on testing in progressRated 5 on Amerisleep’s scale with zoned support.
- Five-zone HIVE layer targets shoulders, hips and back differently
- Medium feel suits most side and combination sleepers
- 365-night trial and 20-year warranty
- List price is high; wait for a sale
- Memory foam can feel warm for very hot sleepers
$1,749 queen
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Who should choose a soft mattress?
Side sleepers and lighter people. If you just want to soften a bed that is otherwise fine, try a topper.
FAQs
Is a soft mattress bad for your back?
Not necessarily. Soft mattresses with good support underneath can suit side sleepers. Very soft beds can let the hips sag for back and stomach sleepers.