Best Soft Mattresses of 2025, Tested by CNET's Well-Rested Sleep Expert

The Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress is a luxury-style mattress with a soft pillow top that balances support. It’s one of the most comfortable beds I’ve tested, but it’s more expensive than some will want to buy at an MRP of $2,499 for a queen. 

Why we chose this bed: The Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress is seriously comfortable. I’m a sucker for pillow tops, and this bed might have my favorite pillow top of all time. It’s soft and plush and gives you all the pressure relief you could ever want. It has the perfect level of sinkage. Below the pillow top is an AirFoam layer that gives you the cradling sensation from memory foam but with much more of a responsive spring back. The overall feel is a responsive pillow-top feel I’d have difficulty seeing anyone dislike.

One of the best parts of the Nolah Evolution Hybrid is that it’s available in three firmness options. Since you’re on this best soft mattress list, I’ll assume you want the plush model, which is a medium-soft to medium, or 4 on our scale. So it’s not the softest mattress on the list, but it balances support from the durable coils and softness really well. This bed is also available in a luxury firm (medium or 5) and firm (medium-firm or 7). The Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress is the best overall soft mattress because it’s accommodating and widely appealing. It’s my go-to soft mattress recommendation for people who want a new bed but don’t know what they want.

You’ll probably notice that we only scored this soft bed 8.9 out of 10. Our methodology tests mattresses objectively for the average person. So, while it might have scored lower than another bed, when I consider the needs of someone who wants a soft bed, you can’t beat the Nolah Evolution.

Who should get this bed: I’d recommend the Nolah Evolution mattress to any type of sleeper; I like it that much. Side sleepers should stick with either the plush or luxury-firm models. Back and stomach sleepers should go with the firm model, which is around medium firm.

Who shouldn’t: People who want a true memory foam feel won’t want to get this bed. While I find the fluffy pillow top comfortable, it’s not anywhere close to the feel of Nectar or Tempur-Pedic. 

The Helix Sunset Luxe is easily one of the softest mattresses I’ve ever tested. It’s a side sleeper's dream, though it’s not the most affordable bed.

Why we chose this bed: If you’re looking for a soft, pillow-top bed, look no further than the Helix Sunset Luxe. It’s an ultra-soft mattress with a fluffy pillow top is what I imagine a cloud feels like. It has plenty of cushion around my shoulders, hips and knees when I lie on my side. This bed does have some memory foam near the top, so you get a little bit of the “sink-in” quality that many people like. But I think, generally, it’s a neutral pillow-top feel.

What I like most about this bed is that it’s not just soft. It has zoned support coils that ensure it can stand the test of time. It’s a plush bed with the reassurance that you’re supported. When we tested this bed, our team rated it a proper medium-soft, which is great for side sleepers. However, everyone else might want a slightly firmer option, like the Helix Midnight.

Who should get this bed: This is my top recommendation for side sleepers who want an ultra-soft pillow-top bed -- possibly the softest out there. It offers excellent pressure relief, though it’s so plush I’d only recommend it if maximum pressure relief is your priority.

Who shouldn’t: The Helix Sunset Luxe is too soft for back and stomach sleepers who need a firmer bed that won’t let them sink too far in to avoid waking up with back pain.

Runner-up: If the Sunset Luxe is a little out of your price range, you can go down a tier in Helix’s model and opt for the core Helix Sunset. It’s still a soft hybrid bed, but it lacks some upgraded features like enhanced coil systems.

Memory foam lovers won’t want to miss the Nectar Luxe mattress, which is quickly becoming a team favorite. While it’s soft and has plenty of pressure relief, I recommend this soft bed only for people who want a dense, memory foam feel.

Why we chose this bed: If you like the sensation of dense, slow-moving memory foam, you’ll enjoy the Nectar Luxe. I wouldn’t say it reaches the level of sink-in that Tempur-Pedic does, which can make changing positions a little difficult. The Nectar Luxe is a little more light and responsive, though if you compare it with any other foam bed, it’s undeniably dense and has body-conforming qualities.

When we tested the Nectar Luxe mattress, we rated it somewhere between medium and medium-soft on our scale. So this soft bed is suitable for just about anyone, though side sleepers get the added benefit of pressure relief on their joints. This premium all-foam mattress also has a cooling cover, though putting sheets on it essentially neutralizes the cooling sensations. That said, every little bit helps if you’re a hot sleeper.

Who should get this bed: If you’re nuts about memory foam, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better soft bed than the Nectar Luxe. It’s best for side sleepers because it’s soft. 

Who shouldn’t: Don’t get this bed unless you want the dense feel of memory foam. Some people love getting pulled into the bed, though it’s not for everyone. It’s not Tempur-Pedic level of syrupy, though I would not recommend it to someone new to memory foam or unsure if they want to commit to it. Back and stomach sleepers might find it a bit too soft.

Runner-up: If you want the feel of dense memory foam but the support of steel coils, go with the Nectar Luxe Hybrid mattress. On our scale, we rate it as medium-soft.

The Amerisleep Organica Plush mattress is one of the best soft latex mattresses for side sleepers. It’s ethically sourced and sustainable while being supportive with plenty of cushion. It’s definitely not firm enough for back or stomach sleepers.

Why we chose this bed: The Amerisleep Organica Plush is a thick, super soft mattress. Our Mattress Smasher rated it only 2.5 out of 10, which is in line with our experience of medium-soft. Because this bed is so soft, you get plenty of cushion, though since it’s latex foam, you won’t sink in like traditional memory foam. Instead, it will feel more like you’re on top of the materials, translating to a responsive sensation.

This top-rated plush mattress has a strong coil system for support, two layers of Talalay latex and a layer of organic wool. The final 3-inch layer of Talalay latex is attached to the box top and is what you ultimately lie on. Natural and organic mattresses are more expensive because of the sustainably sourced materials. The Amerisleep Organica Plush mattress will run you $2,999, though if you’re looking for a soft latex bed, this is your best option.

Who should get this bed: Side sleepers who want an organic bed can’t do better than the Amerisleep Organica Plush mattress. Soft latex beds are hard to come by.

Who shouldn’t: Unless you like the feel of latex foam or value the fact that the bed is organic, I can’t justify the $2,999 price tag for this bed. It’s also much too soft for stomach and back sleepers.

Runner-up: The WinkBed Eco Cloud is another soft latex mattress, though it’s slightly firmer than the Organica. It falls around a medium or 5 out of 10 on our scale. So it’s not super plush, but the reality is that most latex mattresses aren’t.

The Layla Hybrid flippable mattress gives you two chances to find your ideal firmness. It’s great for any type of sleeper, though if you’re looking for a plush mattress with a lot of bounce, I’d suggest you look elsewhere.

Why we chose this bed: Most people don’t think about flippable mattresses, which means that both sides are sleepable because the supportive coils are at the center of the bed. There aren’t a ton of flippable beds on the market, but my all-time favorite is the Layla Hybrid mattress. This soft bed has a fluffy, airy memory foam feel. It’s a little slow to respond, but it’s nothing like you’d get from Tempur-Pedic. I’d say it’s the perfect amount of pressure-conforming properties without it feeling like you’re being sucked into the bed. It's very comfortable.

The Layla Hybrid made this the best soft mattress list because it offers two firmness levels. There’s a firm and soft side. The firm side is slightly past a medium or 5 on our scale, while the soft side is a proper medium-soft or 3. If you prefer a super soft mattress, you’ll like the soft side. However, even the firm side is an excellent choice for side sleepers because it’s only a medium. You just can’t go wrong with the Layla Hybrid mattress.

Who should get this bed: If you want a soft bed but aren’t sure of the exact firmness you want, I suggest the Layla Hybrid. With two chances to get it right, it’s a side sleeper’s dream on either side.

Who shouldn’t: The Layla Hybrid bed has an airy memory foam feel, which I think anyone will like. However, if you want a bouncy, more traditional feel like a pillow top, you probably want to look elsewhere. The firmest side is only a medium, meaning I wouldn’t recommend it for most back or stomach sleepers.

Runner-up: The Layla mattress is an all-foam, flippable bed. It’s more affordable than the Layla Hybrid, at $1,099 for a queen. I recommend it for petite to average body types. Heavier folks will need the extra support of coils.

If you can’t seem to find a middle ground between your partner’s sleeping needs, try the Nest Sparrow Hybrid. It’s a widely accommodating soft mattress with a comfy pillow top and the option for split firmness in king sizes. That said, it’s pretty expensive.

Why we chose this bed: It can be tough to find a bed that suits two people’s sleeping needs, especially if your sleeping position or preferences differ. The Nest Sparrow is a hybrid bed with a universally comfortable pillow top feel that’s a safe bet for everyone. You sink into the pillow top, but you don't feel like you're being pulled into the bed. The firmness of the best depends on the model you choose. There’s a plush (medium-soft or 2), medium (medium or 5) and firm (medium-firm or 7). I'd recommend the plush model if you’re looking for an ultra-soft mattress.

The Nest Sparrow mattress stands out for me because of the lifetime renewal exchange program. The Nest Sparrow is designed to remove and replace the top comfort layer through Nest’s lifetime renewal exchange program. So, if your bed gets a little too soft or the foam starts to degrade, you can get a new layer sent to you for free. Mattresses are expensive, so a program like this makes a big deal for making the bed last.

Who should get this bed: Anyone can get this bed as long as they want a pillow-top feel. It performs well in motion isolation and edge support, so I recommend the Nest Sparrow to almost any couple I encounter. I’d suggest that side sleepers go with the plush or soft model, while back and stomach sleepers go with the firm.

Who shouldn’t: The average person probably won’t want the softest model of this bed. I can see it for people who want to maximize pressure relief or have chronic pain. Otherwise, I’d recommend the medium or firm model.

Runner-up: The Helix Moonlight Luxe is another bed we think is great for couples. It’s a smidge softer than a medium on our scale, which is excellent for couples who want a plush mattress but not the softest out there.

No other bed offers as many cooling benefits as the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe. It’s the best soft cooling mattress out there, though unless you actually sleep too hot, the cost might be more than what the average person wants to spend.

Why we chose this bed: Sleeping too hot can ruin your sleep quality. The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe can fix things. It’s easily the coldest bed I’ve ever tested. The second you touch it, you can feel the cooling sensation. The cover has an almost slick feeling from the cooling additions. When you lie on this bed, you get a neutral hybrid feel. It has comfy foam layers that offer pressure relief around. my hips when I lie on it, though I didn't get much of that “sink-in” sensation I associate with traditional memory foam.

The Aurora Luxe isn’t just a cooling mattress. It’s also a supportive, luxury-style mattress that’s comfortable too. The cooling tech is just the icing on the cake. You can get the Aurora Luxe in three firmness levels: soft, medium and firm. The softest option is somewhere between a medium-soft or 3 on our scale. The medium model is around 5, and the firmest is 7 out of 10. I’d recommend both the soft and medium models for those who want a plush mattress.

Who should get this bed: The Aurora Luxe is the best bed for cooling you down if you sleep hot. It actually feels icy when you touch it.

Who shouldn’t: If you’re not a hot sleeper, you don’t need to spend money on the added features.

Runner-up: The Tempur-Pedic Pro Breeze is another cooling bed that actually helps cool you down. It has the dense memory foam feel you expect from the brand, though it’s slightly firmer than the Aurora Luxe. It’s around a medium, which is still great for side sleepers; it’s just not the softest you can get.

The Allswell Luxe is a softer budget bed that won’t break the bank. A queen costs only $387. It has no advanced features, but this hybrid bed is dependable for classic comfort.

Why we chose this bed: The Allswell Luxe from Walmart has a classic hybrid mattress feel that I think most people will relate to. I’d describe it as a neutral foam feel -- nothing fancy, just comfortable foam. You don't sink a ton into it, though I didn't notice any pressure on my hips or shoulders when testing. When we tested it, it felt like a medium. So, it's not the softest out there, but it's still what I’d consider on the softer side.

The thing about the Allswell is that you’re not getting any bells and whistles. It’s a straightforward hybrid bed that’s comfortable. But it’s not going to cool you or provide strategic support to alleviate back pain, but it doesn’t try to pretend like it will. The Allswell Luxe is the best budget soft mattress because it’s a no-fuss bed that’s affordable.

Who should get this bed: Those on a tight budget who want a basic bed will like the Allswell Luxe. It’s not the softest on the list, but many people will prefer that.

Who shouldn’t: Those looking for a super-soft bed will want to steer clear of the Allswell Luxe. Our Mattress Smasher 9000 rated it 6.3 out of 10. It's soft enough to make the list, though I wouldn’t recommend it for every side sleeper unless you like the firmer end of soft.

Runner-up: The Zinus Green Tea mattress is a gel memory foam mattress that costs only $278. It’s a medium-soft or three on our scale, which is excellent for side sleepers. However, it’s probably not supportive enough for anyone over 230 pounds.