Best Soft Mattresses From Consumer Reports' Tests
Love the idea of settling into a plush bed at the end of a long day? Here are seven top-rated soft mattresses that combine great support with a cloudlike feel.
By Tanya A. Christian
A soft mattress isn’t for everyone, and yet the term “soft” has long been associated with a comfortable, luxurious bed. In fact, words like “fluffy,” “plush,” and “puffy” are more often marketing buzzwords than true descriptions of how a mattress feels.
Adding to the confusion is the inconvenient truth that soft is subjective. One person’s “best” soft mattress could be another’s “too soft” or “not soft enough.” And it’s hard to compare soft mattress options across brands because each manufacturer uses its own firmness scale.
That’s why CR doesn’t simply take a mattress maker’s word when it comes to firmness levels. Rather, we assess each mattress ourselves, using an objective industry test standard that entails applying a load of up to 1,000 newtons (4.4 newtons equal a pound) to each mattress. We then plot the results on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest.
That makes it easy for you to compare one mattress with another: A 3 is a 3, regardless of how the manufacturer describes it. And any mattress on the lower end of the firmness scale will feel softer than those at the higher end, where you’ll find the firmest mattresses in our ratings.
Keep in mind, however, that not all mattresses with a firmness level of 3 (or 5 or 7, for that matter) are created equal. Those lacking a substantial support layer might force your spine to arch, causing aches and pains come morning. But those that keep your spine aligned—while still offering that aaah-inducing, pressure-relieving surface layer—can be the key to a great night’s sleep. That’s why the mattresses on our list of the best soft ones also score well in terms of support and durability, features that are important for any mattress, regardless of firmness level.
To find the mattresses highlighted in this article, we zeroed in on those with the best Overall Scores that also rate a 3 or lower on our firmness scale. If you think a soft mattress is right for you, Chris Regan, who oversees our mattress testing, suggests starting your search with some of these models. But keep an open mind. “Try firmer mattresses, too, based on what you’re feeling,” he says. You may be surprised to find that you’re more comfortable on a medium or medium-firm mattress. (For more strategies on how to assess and choose a mattress in a store, check out our mattress buying guide.)
How Consumer Reports Tests Mattresses
The mattresses in our ratings are tested with both lab equipment and human subjects. In addition to the 1,000-newton load to test firmness, we ask sleepers of petite and large/tall sizes to lie on their side and back so we can measure how well their spines stay aligned on each mattress. We then average those numbers to get a value for an average-sized sleeper. We also measure how easily sleepers can shift their weight and how well the mattress keeps its shape over time with the help of an almost 310-pound roller pushed over the mattress 30,000 times to simulate eight to 10 years of mattress use.
Our comfort and owner satisfaction ratings provide further insights. They’re based on data from recent surveys on CR members’ experiences with nearly 67,000 mattresses purchased within the past decade. We asked them to rate the comfort of their mattress, and used the information to generate ratings by brand and type of mattress. Owner satisfaction incorporates a member’s overall judgment of such factors as firmness/softness, value, quality of sleep, and more.
The results of our tests and surveys are tabulated in our comprehensive mattress ratings chart, which includes more than 250 models. CR members can filter for the features that interest them most, whether they’re looking for, say, the best soft mattresses, the most durable mattresses, or both. They can also explore our mattress selector tool for recommendations customized to their needs, including sleep position, firmness preferences, and budget.
Best Soft Mattresses From CR's Tests
The seven soft mattresses highlighted here received a firmness rating of 3 or lower on our firmness scale. Six are innersprings and one is a foam mattress. For more options, see our comprehensive mattress ratings, where you can filter for your desired mattress type, firmness level, price, and more.
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Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
