Mattresses come in a range of firmness levels: from soft, medium-soft and medium, to medium-hard and firm. While maximum cushioning sounds like it should equal a great night’s sleep, is it really good to sleep on a soft mattress? The simple answer is: it depends.
By far the biggest factor in terms of mattress firmness that works for you will be the type of mattress you’ve used throughout your life. In other words, if you usually sleep on a medium or firm mattress, and generally wake up feeling refreshed and rested, you’d better stick with what you know.
However, if you have a medium or hard mattress and hate it, it may be worth trying a soft or medium-soft mattress. Be aware, although this style suits many, it is not suitable for others. So in this article, we will explain what the main differences are, to give you an idea of which combination is right for you.
If you are still not sure, keep in mind that a file best mattresses They tend to come with generous free trial periods. This means you can try a soft mattress, and simply return it if it doesn’t work for you. Some models are available in a range of package options (this is the case with our first pick in the US, the Saatva Classic and Brook + Wilde Lux in the UK). Alternatively, you can try softening your existing mattress by adding a soft top layer (if you need one of these, check out our guide to best mattress covers).
Is soft bedding a good choice?
The short version is: A softer mattress might be good for lighter people, side sleepers, people with joint pain or likely anyone who shares a bed with a restless partner. A soft mattress may not be a good choice for people with back pain or mobility problems, larger or heavier people, front or back sleepers, or those who tend to sleep hot. These are guidelines only, personal preference will come in too.
Let’s take a closer look at these categories, and the reasons behind them.
Yes, if you want to “dive” into a mattress
We’ll start with the obvious: a soft mattress that makes you feel like you’re sinking into bed. Whether this is a good or bad thing is ultimately a matter of personal taste. Some people like the feeling. Others hate it and instinctively prefer a firmer mattress, where it’s more “on top” than “in” the bed.
Context is also important. For example, you may have stayed in a hotel with a particularly soft mattress, and found it pleasant. But it’s worth asking yourself: how much is that because of the mattress? And how much was the experience of spending a holiday with your loved ones, away from all your worries and fears, and maybe some glasses of wine as well?
Yes, if you suffer from joint pain
Since a soft mattress allows you to snorkel, it reduces pressure on the shoulders and hips, compared to a firmer mattress. This is why soft mattresses feel more comfortable for many people, and can help with joint and hip pain.
It can be a double-edged sword, because a soft mattress generally provides less support than a hard mattress. Depending on your weight and the way you sleep, it can mean that your back drops a lot during sleep, which can cause problems with the spine.
So what’s the best balance between pressure relief and support: soft, medium, or firm? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this, because everyone’s body and sleep pattern is different. So it’s all about finding the right type of mattress for you, based on trial and error, and for most people, it will be somewhere between soft and firm.
Probably not, if you suffer from back pain
What if you suffer from back pain? Again, everyone’s body is different and it’s hard to generalize about this thorny area. However, according to a sleep specialist, trainer, and speaker Angela Holiday Bell (Opens in a new tab): “In general, people with back pain tend to do better with mattresses of medium firmness that provide adequate spinal support to relieve pain.”
And this view is not based solely on anecdotal experience: there is scientific research to support it. Angela refers to a Study from the National Library of Medicine (Opens in a new tab)published in 2015. “This was a systematic review of 24 clinical trials that evaluated the relationship between mattress design and sleep quality and subjectively found that mattresses of medium firmness were ideal for enhancing sleep quality and spinal alignment,” summarizes.
To learn more about the relationship between back pain and types of mattresses, read our article on the best types of mattresses for back pain.
Yes, if you sleep sideways; Not if you are a back or front sleeper
If you sleep on your side, a soft mattress will work best to cushion your shoulders and hips. In contrast, a more assertive person may exert a lot of pressure, which causes discomfort and prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep. To choose the best for you, check out our guide to Best mattress for side sleepers.
Conversely, if you sleep on your back or front, you may find your hips and pelvis sink into a soft mattress too much, leading to discomfort and poor spinal alignment over time. For this reason, people who sleep in the back or front are generally better off with a firmer mattress.
Yes, if you are a lightweight person
If you weigh less than the average person, you will find that a firmer mattress is a particular problem in terms of stress relief. By contrast, you may find that only a softer mattress provides enough “give” on your shoulder and hips to get really comfortable. Conversely, if you are heavier than average, you will probably need more support than a soft mattress provides. In general, heavier people need a firm mattress with good depth.
No, if you have mobility issues
If you have mobility issues due to a disability, injury, or other health issues, a soft mattress is not your best bet. Changing positions and getting in and out of bed are usually easier and less painful with a firm mattress.
Probably not, if you sleep hot
If you live in a hot climate, the fact that you are drowning in a soft mattress can make it difficult to stay cool at night, because your body is exposed to less air. However, this is only one (relatively simple) factor among many. In fact, we suggest that if you have a particular problem with hot sleep, the first port of call should be to invest in one Best Cooling Mattresseswhich uses a range of specialized materials to help regulate bed temperature and get rid of body heat (it’s something more in the US than in the UK).
Yes (probably), if you sleep with a partner
What mattress companies call motion transfer is the degree to which movement is shared from one part of the mattress to another. Softer mattresses tend to have transmission problems, which means that if you’re a boring sleeper, your partner’s sleep can be disrupted, and vice versa. With a firm mattress, especially one with memory foam, the transfer of motion is generally lower.
However, that’s not the only factor here, and many mattresses of all stiffness levels use clever design and special materials to reduce shifting. Another problem is that you may prefer a different level of firmness to your partner. One of the designs that revolves around this is Dormio S Plus Evolution (Opens in a new tab)which is divided into two halves, each of which can be turned over to a smoother or more solid surface.
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