When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

However, soft mattresses can be beneficial for some sleepers.

And, many of our top picks in this year’sbest mattressguide for all sleepers come in a plush option.

A man�s hand resting on the surface of a soft memory foam mattress

However, to understand what firmness you need, you must consider your body weight and sleeping style.

Here, we explore who would benefit from a soft bed and who should opt for an alternative feel.

What is considered a ‘soft mattress’?

A 50lb weight resting oin the Zinus Green tea Memory Foam Mattress, showing noticable sink

At 3 out of 10, there will be more noticeable sinkage.

A 4 out of 10 is generally considered to be medium soft.

You may see these mattresses branded as ‘Plush’ or ‘Luxury Plush’.

A woman sleeping comfortably and cooly on her side over the top of duvets

You might also experience that classic memory foam ‘hug’ in a softer bed.

In this case, you’d sleep on top of the bed, rather than in it.

So, do you need asoft or firm mattress… or somewhere in the middle?

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

3 people who could benefit from a soft mattress

1.

But, after 60, this decline starts to speed up.

This can, again, lead to a build-up of pressure, as joints wont be receiving adequate cushioning.

A person lies in a stomach sleeping position on the Extra Firm side of the Plank FIrm mattress

Who should avoid a soft mattress?

This will, in turn, compromise the support.

Instead, thebest mattresses for heavier sleepersuse firmer foams and coils that will help keep a larger frame supported.

A man in a grey t shirt sits on the edge of his mattress while clutching his lower back after waking up with back and shoulder pain

Its generally recommended to get a slightly firmer mattress if you share your bed.

Alternatively, opt for an adjustable firmness bed where you could customize each side based on your needs.

Helix midnight elite mattress

A woman wearing green tshirt sitting in bed with her bed tilted and her hand on her neck.

Two women sit on the Helix Dawn Mattress for stomach sleepers, photographed on a light wooden bed frame in a blue bedroom

Two women sit on the Helix Midnight Elite mattress as they look for the right mattress for their sleep position, a Tom�s Guide Sleep Awareness Week deals graphic (right)

A tester sits on the edge of the bet fiberglass-free mattress, the Saatva Classic

A person sits on the edge of the Plank Firm mattress, Extra Firm side, to test the edge support

A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

The image shows a woman sitting up in bed and clutching her shoulder in pain

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

A couple using the Scandinavian Sleep Method

Bed bugs

The Saatva Murphy Bed Mattress on a Murphy bed frame lying flat, in a bedroom

iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro

A person holding a Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World

2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor test drive review.

Samsung S95F OLED TV

ChatGPT generated image

Apple Watch Series 10 lowest price