by Our #1 Recommended Mattress
After testing 20+ mattresses across every category, this is the one we recommend first.
Saatva Classic. From $1,095
365-night trial · Lifetime warranty · Free white-glove delivery
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Why You Might Need a Softer Mattress
The most common scenario: you buy a mattress that felt right in the showroom or arrived with high expectations, only to find it sleeps firmer than expected. This happens because showroom testing is brief, body weight and sleeping position affect how firm a mattress feels in practice, and some mattresses take time to break in.
Signs your mattress is too firm for your needs:
- Pressure point pain in shoulders, hips, or knees — particularly for side sleepers
- Numbness or tingling in limbs during sleep
- Waking frequently to change position
- No conforming sensation — you feel like you're sleeping "on top of" the mattress rather than "in" it
Method 1: Add a Soft Mattress Topper (Best Option)
A mattress topper is the most effective solution. Choose based on your goals:
Memory Foam Topper (Softest Feel)
2-4 lb density memory foam in a 2-3" thickness. Provides deep conforming and the classic memory foam "hug." Best for side sleepers who need pressure relief. Will slightly increase warmth — consider gel-infused or open-cell foam if you sleep hot. Cost: $80-180 queen.
Soft Latex Topper (Softest Feel with Responsiveness)
14-19 ILD Talalay natural latex in 2-3" thickness. Provides softness with more bounce than memory foam — doesn't create the "stuck" feeling. Better temperature regulation than memory foam. GOLS-certified options available. Cost: $150-280 queen.
Wool Topper (Moderate Softening)
Provides cushioning and temperature regulation simultaneously. Less dramatic softening than foam or latex, but better for hot sleepers who need moderate softening. Particularly effective for couples with different firmness preferences. Cost: $200-350 queen.
Method 2: Allow Break-In Time
Most mattresses have a break-in period of 30-90 days. During this time:
- Memory foam softens as the temperature-sensitive material adapts to body heat patterns
- Coils in innerspring/hybrid mattresses "settle" as the initial tension reduces
- Foam layers compress slightly in frequently contacted areas
Break-in can be accelerated by sleeping on the mattress every night (don't use a guest room alternate) and walking on it gently in socks for a few minutes daily during the first weeks. If the mattress still feels unacceptably firm after 60-90 days, break-in alone won't fix it.
Method 3: Foundation Adjustment
Your foundation affects perceived firmness:
- Solid platform or floor → firmest feel
- Platform with slats (3" spacing) → slightly softer feel
- Box spring with coils → adds some give, softening the overall feel
If your mattress is on a solid platform, switching to a slatted foundation or adding a box spring beneath it can soften the feel modestly (half to one firmness point).
Method 4: Temperature Adjustment
Memory foam firmness is temperature-dependent. Cold rooms make memory foam firm and unresponsive; warm rooms make it softer and more conforming. If your memory foam mattress feels hard, especially in cold weather or mornings:
- Increase room temperature 2-3 degrees
- Allow 5-10 minutes of body heat to warm the surface before lying flat
- Use an electric blanket on the surface for a few minutes pre-bedtime
This is most noticeable in the 65-72°F range where memory foam stiffness changes significantly with temperature.
What Doesn't Work
- Mattress pads (thin quilted covers) — add minimal softness, primarily protect from stains
- Soft sheets — do not change the feel of the mattress meaningfully
- Sleeping in different spots to avoid firm areas — addresses symptom, not cause
When to Return Instead
If you're within your trial period and the mattress is significantly too firm for your comfort, returning or exchanging is often better than adding a topper. A topper can add $100-250 to the effective cost of a mattress that wasn't right. If the mattress is the wrong type for your sleep position or weight, no amount of topper modification fully compensates.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to make a mattress softer?
Adding a soft mattress topper is the easiest, most effective, and most reversible way to make a firm mattress softer. A 2-3 inch memory foam or soft latex topper (14-19 ILD) can dramatically change the feel of a firm mattress.
Can a mattress topper make a mattress significantly softer?
Yes, significantly. A 3-inch soft foam or latex topper can change the perceived firmness by 2-3 points on a 10-point firmness scale. Thicker toppers produce greater changes. Memory foam toppers provide the softest feel; soft latex provides a softer feel with more responsiveness.
Does a mattress get softer over time?
Yes, most mattresses soften slightly with use — especially in the first 30-90 days. However, the softening from break-in is typically modest (half a firmness point), not dramatic. If a mattress feels genuinely too firm, it likely won't soften enough through use alone.
Will sleeping on a mattress on the floor make it softer?
Placing a mattress on a solid floor removes any flex from a foundation, making the sleep surface feel firmer, not softer. A box spring or slatted foundation with some give makes a mattress feel slightly softer. If your mattress is on a platform bed with a solid surface, adding slats with slight flex can add a small amount of give to the feel.