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Can plush mattresses be too soft for side sleepers?

What is a soft mattress?

Helix midnight elite mattress

We ratemattress firmnesson a scale of one to 10, with one indicating super soft and 10 incredibly hard.

So, how does this translate to comfort?

Soft mattresses have a feel similar to lying on a marshmallow.

Saatva Classic Mattress - Twin

You’ll sink into the materials as they contour around your body.

This helps distribute weight to relieve pressure, which is why softer mattresses are often recommended for side sleeping.

Due to this sink-in feeling, soft mattresses can sometimes lack support.

ZINUS 6 Inch Green Tea Memory…

If the body sags too far into the mattress it can cause the spine to twist uncomfortably.

A common side effect of soft mattresses is a tendency to sleep warm.

However, thebest cooling mattresseshave methods to counteract this problem.

Brooklyn Bedding Chill Memory…

What throw in of mattress should a side sleeper use?

What should side sleepers look for in a soft mattress?

This won’t diminish the overall soft feel, but it will prevent uncomfortable back ache.

Brooklyn Bedding

The quality of the materials also influences how much pressure relief a mattress provides.

(The majority of mattresses for side sleepers sit in the medium-firm to firm bracket.)

3 soft to medium mattresses for side sleepers

1.

Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid…

And you get a 101-night trial and a 25-year warranty.

For more pressure relief, choose the Plush Soft feel.

HELIX MIDNIGHT - Twin

Two people sit on the Leesa Legend Hybrid Mattress

A woman wearing blue and white stripy pyjamas lays on her side on the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress

A 35lb kettlebell balances on the edge of the Leesa Legend Hybrid mattress, to test the edge support. It’s sinking into the foams as a hand rests on the handle to keep the weight in place

Helix midnight elite mattress

1. Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress:was from $399$249 at Zinus

2. GhostBed Luxe mattress: was from $2,595$1,298 at GhostBed

3. Saatva Classic Mattress:was from $1,399$999 at Saatva

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

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

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

A woman sleeps on her side on the Nolah Natural 11

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 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 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)

Bed bugs

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

The image shows the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology pillow on the left and the Coop Cool+ pillow on the right in a side by side comparison

A child lying on their side covering their eyes in bed

A person holding a Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World

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Garmin Vivoactive 6 in emerald green with the Morning Report shown on the screen

2025 Toyota bZ4X at New York Auto Show.

KTC G27P6

NYT Strands on a cellphone