Best Soft Mattress
"Soft" is a self-reported label with no cross-brand standard behind it. Among soft-tier options, Brooklyn Bedding's latex topper is the rare case with a published ILD (19), while Saatva and Nectar report only a house-scale number with no ILD disclosed. Construction matters as much as the label: latex responds differently than memory foam at a comparable firmness, and a topper only changes the top layer, not the support core underneath.
Price bands only, no exact figures: soft-tier options here range from budget (memory-foam-only construction) to mid-range (latex topper add-ons) to premium (innerspring hybrid with a soft comfort layer). Check the live Amazon listing for current pricing.
The one thing to know: A brand's '1-10' firmness number or 'Soft/Medium/Firm' label is entirely self-assigned — there is no industry body auditing it, no standard scale it's measured against, and no requirement that a '6' from one brand feel anything like a '6' from another. Two 'medium-firm' mattresses from different brands can differ enormously in actual feel. Treat every brand's number as a claim within that brand's own lineup, not a cross-brand measurement.
Our picks — by construction and disclosed ILD
Research-based picks (how we evaluate), from spec sheets and public listings, not hands-on tests. Live Amazon search links, no prices or ratings, an honest drawback on each.
Saatva Classic Plush Soft
Innerspring hybrid, self-reported 'Soft' (~4/10 house scale), euro pillow-top comfort layer, dual coil support core
One of the few soft-tier mattresses that still uses a full coil support core, so it stays soft on top without losing edge support or airflow.
Best for: Lighter-weight side sleepers who want pressure relief at the shoulder/hip without an all-foam feel
Watch out: Saatva's own firmness numbers are a HOUSE scale, not an industry standard — its 'Soft (4)' will not feel identical to another brand's '4'. ILD for the pillow-top layer is not publicly disclosed.
Check price on AmazonBrooklyn Bedding 3" Latex Topper — Soft
Natural Talalay latex topper, manufacturer-published comfort ILD 19 (soft tier of a 19/28/36 lineup), 3 in thickness
A rare case where the brand actually publishes the ILD number on the spec sheet, so you can compare it directly to their own medium (28 ILD) and firm (36 ILD) versions.
Best for: Side sleepers wanting to soften an existing firm mattress rather than replace the whole bed
Watch out: A topper only changes the top few inches — it doesn't change the support core underneath, so a very firm base can still feel firm through a soft topper for heavier sleepers.
Check price on AmazonNectar Original Mattress
All memory-foam construction, self-reported 'Medium Firm' by brand (~6/10) but third-party reviewers commonly score it softer (~5-6) at the shoulder/hip; ILD not disclosed
Deep, slow-recovery memory-foam contouring at a lower price point than most latex or hybrid soft-tier beds.
Best for: Budget-conscious side sleepers who want a classic slow-sink memory-foam feel
Watch out: Memory foam sleeps warmer than latex or coils and has a slower response — turning over can feel like fighting the mattress. No ILD figures are published for any layer.
Check price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Side sleepers generally do best with a softer comfort layer — roughly the 'soft' to 'medium' self-reported range — because it lets the shoulder and hip compress enough to keep the spine roughly level rather than being pushed out of alignment by a too-firm surface.
Yes. A lighter side sleeper (under about 130 lb) will feel a mattress's true surface firmness and may want something on the softer end. A heavier side sleeper compresses further into the same comfort layer and may find a 'soft' mattress actually feels adequately supportive, or may need a thicker comfort layer to avoid bottoming out onto the firmer support core.
Both can work; the difference is response speed and heat. Memory foam contours slowly and deeply, which some side sleepers like for shoulder/hip pressure relief; latex responds faster and sleeps cooler at a comparable firmness. Neither is objectively 'better' — it's a feel preference within the soft-to-medium firmness range that suits side sleeping.
Not necessarily — a heavier side sleeper on a very soft mattress can still sink too far and lose spinal support, in which case a medium-firm option with a thicker comfort layer may work better than a purely 'soft'-labeled bed. This is a general equipment-fit consideration, not medical advice; consult a clinician for any specific pain concern.