Best soft mattresses in the UK (2026)
A soft mattress lets the shoulders and hips sink in, which is what side sleepers and lighter bodies need to keep the spine straight. The risk is a mattress that is soft all the way through and lets you sag into it; the good ones pair a plush top with a properly supportive core.
These are the soft and medium-soft mattresses that scored highest in our testing.
Our picks
Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Nova Hybrid
from Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Mattresses
Tempure Velure Pillow-Top
from Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Mattresses
Tencel 1000
from Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Mattresses
Reverso Memory
from Luxe Mattresses
Best soft: at a glance
| # | Mattress | Type | Firmness | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxe Nova HybridLuxe Mattresses | Hybrid | Medium-soft | £449£599 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Tempure Velure Pillow-TopLuxe Mattresses | Memory foam | Medium-soft | £449 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Tencel 1000Luxe Mattresses | Pocket spring | Soft | £339£399 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Reverso MemoryLuxe Mattresses | Memory foam | Soft | £329 | 8.1/10 |
How we picked
Every soft and medium-soft mattress in our catalogue, ranked by overall score. Support score was checked for each: a soft mattress that also scored poorly on support would not make this list however comfortable it felt.
Scores are set by Alexander Bowman using the criteria on our how we score page. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links; this never affects a score or a ranking.
Not sure this is your category?
Four questions about how you sleep and your budget, and we rank every mattress we have scored against your answers.
Take the quizBest soft: frequently asked questions
Are soft mattresses bad for your back?
Only if they lack support underneath. A soft comfort layer over a firm core is fine for most backs, and for side sleepers it is better than a firm surface. A mattress that is soft throughout lets the hips sink below the shoulders, and that is what causes morning back pain.
Who should avoid a soft mattress?
Front sleepers, people over about 100kg, and anyone who finds it hard to get out of bed. All three groups sink too far into a soft mattress, which either strains the back or makes movement difficult.
Read more
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Firm vs Soft Mattress: Which Is Better for Your Back?
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