But if you’re like Mama Bear and prefer your bed on the softer side, we’ve kicked off your research by rounding up some of the best soft mattresses on the market today. From our more affordable option to our most eco-friendly pick, there’s bound to be a soft bed for you on this list. “The type of mattress you sleep on absolutely influences how you are going to sleep,” says Bonney. “This is one area you want to invest in since you spend a third of your day in bed.” So, how do you know if a soft mattress is for you? Well, for starters, if you sleep on your side you’ll likely prefer the cradling sensation of a softer mattress. Back and stomach sleepers will need more support, such as a medium or firm mattress, to keep their joints in alignment. “Traditionally, firmer mattresses are believed to be better for your back, as it keeps it more properly aligned and keeps your body from sinking at night,” says Bonney. “But both a mattress that’s too soft or too firm can even trigger pressure points, which can lead to hip soreness.” The more weight you carry, the more you’ll sink into a mattress—what feels soft to someone weighing 200 pounds will be very different to someone weighing 110. For example, if you weigh less than 130 pounds, anything labeled “medium-firm” or “firm” will most likely not feel soft to you. And, again, side sleepers will prefer the feel of a softer mattress over back or stomach sleepers, who need more support to stay aligned. Of course, the easiest way to find out whether a bed feels right for you is to lie on it. And luckily, all of the beds on this list come with at least a 100-night trial to do just that. It’s hard to find a truly sustainable mattress option that’s all-foam (check out the best latex option at the beginning of this list!), so by nature this bed might feel slightly firmer if you carry less weight. If you’re a true soft sleeper and weigh less than 150 pounds, you should consider investing in the additional pillow top to ensure that you’re getting the softest surface possible. Plus, with a 100-night trial and 25-year warranty, you’ll have a little time to decide if it’s the one. While Helix’s Birch Natural Mattress (above) is made with organic and eco-friendly materials, the Sunset doesn’t deliver in the sustainability department. So if those are important qualities to you, this might not be the bed of your dreams. Helix does, however, make all of its beds in the USA with only certiPUR-US certified materials. Is it more expensive than other beds-in-a-box? Yes. But reviewers say this bed is “like sleeping on a cloud” and the “appropriate amount of support, softness, and flexibility.” And, if it ends up not being soft enough for your liking, you can always return it within the 100-night trial for free (and the company will help you donate it). Just like parent company Avocado Green Brands, Brentwood Home makes all of its beds in California and uses eco-friendly, recycled, and GOLS-certified organic materials. Another big win for the mattress company is that it’s Climate Neutral Certified and carbon negative, which means Brentwood Home measures and offsets its carbon footprint. Saatva beds are never compressed and rolled into a box like a lot of other brands these days, so you won’t run into any funky odors when it’s brought into your home. Another perk of Saatva is their use of antimicrobial organic cotton and CertiPUR-US certified foams. They’re designed to last, so you won’t have to change your mattress as often (although you should know when it’s time for your old mattress to hit the road). Spindle is a smaller, family-run mattress company that takes pride in using organic and sustainable materials like GOTS- and GOLS-certified organic cotton, wool, and latex. The Spindle Organic Latex mattress is more expensive than most beds on this list, but if sustainable materials and custom firmness are important to you, it’s worth it. If you still can’t get comfy after 60 days, the company will refund you and help donate your bed to charity. A key highlight of PlushBeds is its dedication to using quality, sustainably sourced materials. “Latex foam” doesn’t sound very environmentally friendly, but it’s actually one of the most sustainable options for bedding materials. Plush, PlushBeds’ mattresses boast a slew of certifications, like GOLS-certified Dunlop latex and GOTS-certified cotton and wool. This mattress is a definite splurge, especially for an all-foam bed. But PlushBeds typically offers deals around major holidays, so keep your eyes peeled! My husband and I actually sleep on a Luxury Firm WinkBed, and we love it. I’m a combination side-and-back sleeper, and this bed is the perfect balance of support and cushion for me. It truly does feel like a hotel bed, which isn’t for everyone, especially those who prefer a super-soft mattress. If that’s you, I’d definitely consider the Softer firmness, which is best for strict side sleepers. The only real negative of WinkBeds is that beyond using recycled metal for their innerspring coils, this bed doesn’t have as many certifications or eco-friendly credentials as some other mattresses on this list. They do have another model called the EcoCloud that uses all organic materials—however, you can’t customize the firmness like you can with the original WinkBed. In terms of coolness, Layla claims its copper-infused gel foam promotes cooler sleep. There aren’t any studies to back this up, but reviewers seem to believe it does the job, despite being a memory foam mattress. On the downside, while Layla’s materials are all nontoxic and CertiPUR-US certified, there aren’t any eco-friendly benefits to this bed. You can sleep on either side for up to 120 trial nights to see if either side is soft and cool enough for you—if it’s not, Layla will refund you and donate your mattress to a local charity. A huge perk of Avocado is its sustainability efforts and use of nontoxic, eco-friendly materials. On the downside, this topper is not cheap. But if it softens up your current mattress, it might end up saving you money in the long run. Also worth noting: A few reviewers report that the topper may seem too small for your bed at first, but it flattens out after a few days.
