Soft mattresses for pressure relief

What Is a Pressure Relief Mattress?

A pressure relief mattress is designed to distribute your body weight evenly across the sleep surface, eliminating the concentrated pressure points that cause pain, numbness, tossing, and restless sleep. When a mattress creates pressure, typically at the shoulders, hips, and lower back. Your body responds by shifting positions throughout the night, pulling you out of deep, restorative sleep stages.

A soft mattress with pressure-relieving properties cradles your body's curves, allowing heavier areas to sink in while supporting lighter areas. The result is a sleeping surface that conforms to you rather than forcing you to conform to it.

At LA Mattress Stores, our soft mattresses for pressure relief collection features options from Tempur-Pedic, Stearns & Foster, Helix, and Diamond Mattress, each selected for their superior ability to relieve pressure and provide a plush mattress for pressure relief experience.

Benefits of Soft Mattresses for Pressure Relief

• Elimination of Pressure Points: Soft mattresses allow your shoulders, hips, and other bony prominences to sink into the comfort layers rather than pressing against a hard surface. This dramatically reduces the pressure that causes pain, tingling, and numbness during sleep.
• Reduced Tossing and Turning: When pressure builds up, your body instinctively repositions to relieve it, even during deep sleep. A pressure relief mattress reduces these micro-awakenings, allowing you to spend more time in restorative deep sleep and REM stages.
• Ideal for Side Sleepers: Side sleeping concentrates body weight on the shoulders and hips. Soft mattresses are the most effective at cushioning these pressure points, making them the top choice for dedicated side sleepers. Visit our mattresses for side sleepers collection for additional options tailored to this sleep position.
• Joint and Muscle Relief: Sleepers dealing with joint sensitivity, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or muscle soreness often find that a soft, contouring mattress allows their body to relax more completely during sleep, reducing morning stiffness and discomfort.
• Luxurious Comfort: There is a reason luxury hotels choose plush, soft mattresses. They create an immediate sensation of comfort and indulgence. A soft mattress wraps around your body, creating a cradling feeling that many sleepers describe as the most comfortable sleep experience available.

How to Choose the Best Soft Mattress for Pressure Relief

Not all soft mattresses are created equal. Here is what to look for when shopping for a pressure-relieving plush mattress:

• Comfort Layer Quality: The pressure relief comes from the comfort layers on top of the mattress. High-density memory foam, TEMPUR material, and premium latex provide the best contouring and maintain their softness for years. Low-density foams may feel soft initially but compress quickly and lose their pressure-relieving properties. Look for comfort layers of 3+ inches for meaningful pressure relief.
• Supportive Foundation: A soft mattress still needs a supportive base. The best plush mattresses for pressure relief have soft comfort layers over a firm, stable support core, either high-density foam or an innerspring coil system. This prevents you from sinking through the comfort layer and "bottoming out" on the support base, which would negate the pressure relief.
• Body Weight Consideration: Your body weight significantly affects how a soft mattress performs. Lighter sleepers (under 150 lbs) experience the full plush feel and pressure relief as intended. Average-weight sleepers (150–200 lbs) will sink deeper into the comfort layers. Heavier sleepers (over 200 lbs) may sink through thin comfort layers entirely. If you weigh over 200 lbs and want pressure relief, look for thick comfort layers (4+ inches) or consider a medium mattress that still provides contouring.
• Pillow Top vs. Euro Top: Pillow top mattresses have an extra cushion layer sewn on top of the mattress, creating a visibly separate soft layer. Euro top mattresses integrate the soft layer flush with the mattress edges for a more refined look and better edge support. Both provide excellent pressure relief, euro tops tend to be more durable and maintain their shape longer.

Soft Mattress vs. Medium for Pressure Relief

Both soft and medium mattresses can provide pressure relief, but they do it differently:

A soft mattress (3–5 on the firmness scale) provides the deepest contouring and most immediate pressure relief. You sink into the mattress, and it wraps around your body. This is ideal for side sleepers under 200 lbs, people with joint sensitivity, and anyone who prioritizes that plush, cradled feeling.

A medium mattress (5–6 on the firmness scale) provides moderate contouring with more support underneath. You sleep closer to the surface while still getting meaningful pressure relief. This is better for combination sleepers, people over 200 lbs, and those who want pressure relief without feeling like they are sinking into the bed. Browse our medium firm mattress collection for options that balance pressure relief with support.

Is a soft mattress good for back pain?

It depends on your body weight and sleep position. For lighter side sleepers, a soft mattress can actually help back pain by properly cushioning the hips and maintaining spinal alignment. For heavier sleepers and back or stomach sleepers, a soft mattress may allow too much sinkage, which can worsen back pain.

If you have back pain, we typically recommend medium to medium firm as the safest starting point. Visit our mattresses for back pain collection for options specifically curated for spinal support.

Will a soft mattress sag faster than a firm one?

Not necessarily, durability depends on material quality, not firmness alone. A soft mattress made with high-density memory foam (4+ lbs per cubic foot) or premium TEMPUR material will outlast a firm mattress made with cheap, low-density foam.

The key is investing in quality materials.

Who should choose a soft mattress?

Soft mattresses are best suited for side sleepers (who need deep cushioning at the shoulders and hips), lightweight sleepers under 150 lbs (who do not compress comfort layers as much as heavier individuals), people with joint sensitivity or pain conditions, and anyone who simply prefers a plush, cradling sleep surface.

If you are a back or stomach sleeper, or weigh over 230 lbs, you may find better results with a medium or medium firm mattress that still provides pressure relief.

Can I use a soft mattress with an adjustable base?

Yes. Soft mattresses, especially memory foam and hybrid designs, work beautifully with adjustable bases. The flexible materials bend easily without damaging the mattress structure. Pairing a soft pressure relief mattress with an adjustable base in zero-gravity position can enhance pressure relief even further by distributing your weight more evenly across the sleep surface. Explore our adjustable bed collection for compatible bases.

Shop Soft Mattresses for Pressure Relief Near You at Our 5 Los Angeles Locations

• Glendale (Central Ave). Conveniently located for Burbank, Eagle Rock, and Pasadena residents
• Studio City (Ventura Blvd). Serving the San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks, and North Hollywood
• West Los Angeles (Pico Blvd). Easy access from Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Culver City
• La Brea (Hancock Park). Central LA location near Mid-Wilshire, Fairfax, and Hollywood
• Koreatown (Western Ave). Serving Koreatown, Downtown LA, and surrounding neighborhoods