Best Soft Mattresses in Canada

To bring you these recommendations, we conducted extensive tests with our team of dedicated testers. Each member of our team evaluated each soft mattress based on a series of performance areas. Our diverse group comes from a range of sleeping positions and body types, and all of them work hard to make sure that we’re giving you the most complete picture of each mattress.

Here are the areas we used to test these mattresses.

• Temperature Control. A lot of Canadians sleep hot, and foam mattresses can make overheating worse. Thankfully, most foam mattresses have some form of motion isolation. Make sure to look for mattresses with multiple temperature control features if you often wake up too hot.
• Motion Isolation. Sleeping with a partner, your kids, and even your pets might wake you up, especially if your mattress transfers motion easily. Mattresses with great motion isolation can make it easier to sleep through movement from the other side of the bed.
• Pressure Relief. Most sleepers who prefer soft mattresses enjoy increased pressure relief. If you want to relieve pressure points and be more comfortable throughout the night, look for a mattress with superior pressure relief.
• Edge Support. If you like to sit or sleep on the edge of the mattress, edge support can be important. Some mattresses lose support as you approach the edges, but mattresses with perimeter

Why Choose a Soft Mattress?

Softer mattresses can be great for lighter sleepers, and those who need a little more pressure relief. They often provide better alignment for side sleepers, and they can help align the spine better.

If you are often uncomfortable on your current mattress or often wake with pressure points, a softer mattress might be a solution. However, those with existing back conditions shouldn’t use a softer mattress, as it can make these issues worse.

How to Choose a Soft Mattress

Choosing a mattress doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you identify your preferences, you can start looking at mattresses that meet your criteria. But how do you know what you’ll prefer? Here are some areas you should consider as you shop for a mattress online.

Mattress Type

There are a few different types of mattresses on the market. Before you choose a mattress, you should understand what each type of mattress can offer you.

• Memory foam mattresses use layers of memory foam to form to your body, providing support right where you need it. Memory foam springs back quickly, so it can reform your body without sagging permanently. However, while it’s comfortable and great at relieving pressure, memory foam is notoriously warm. It allows heat to gather as you sleep, which may lead to uncomfortable overheating if it’s not mitigated with temperature control features.
• Latex mattresses use a latex material to create their conforming layers. Latex is more responsive than memory foam and creates a surface that is easier to move around on. It doesn’t contour to your body as well as memory foam and may create an allergic reaction in some people. To combat this, there are non-allergenic latex alternatives with similar properties on the market.
• Hybrid mattresses give you the best of both foam and innerspring mattresses. They usually have layers of foams and fabrics on top of a layer of pocketed coils. Since the coils are pocketed, they compress individually. This gives a hybrid more motion isolation properties than an innerspring mattress, while also offering contouring and customized support.
• Innerspring mattresses are the most traditional mattresses available. They use a layer of connected springs to provide support. While they can be more supportive, they are also usually firmer and create more motion transfer. You are unlikely to find innerspring mattresses online, as they cannot be rolled up to ship to you. 

Sleeping Position

The way you sleep can have an impact on the type of mattress you prefer. Most Canadians who prefer a softer mattress, for example, sleep on their stomachs or sides. Side sleepers can benefit from the increased pressure relief offered by a softer mattress, and those on their stomachs are comfortably cushioned as long as they have good support.

Some side sleepers and those who sleep on their backs may prefer a firmer mattress. However, these are only recommendations. You may prefer a different type of mattress, and you should always follow your personal preferences.

Construction and Materials

The construction of a mattress and the materials used to create it are just as important as what those materials do. Here are some of the things you should look for in construction and materials when choosing a mattress online.

• Composition. How many layers does the mattress have? If the mattress has cooling layers, where are they located? Cooling materials should be located as close to the top layer of the mattress as possible. Look for comforting transition layers before the denser support foam core, as this can help relieve pressure best.
• Eco-conscious materials. Foam mattresses are produced in a way that may create emissions, but some companies use different methods and materials. If this is important to you, look for mattresses made with eco-conscious foams and decreased emissions.
• Proprietary Materials. When a company uses proprietary materials, it means that they have engineered the products themselves. A mattress like the GhostBed Luxe that uses proprietary Ghost Ice material is using a unique composition that only that company uses. The great thing about proprietary materials is that they generally work better than standard options, as they are designed for a very specific purpose.

Size

Before you can choose a mattress, you need to know what size you need. Mattresses come in six sizes as a standard, with other options available for different types of beds (such as RV mattresses). Here are the six standard sizes and how large you can expect them to be.

Another common mattress size is Split King. Split King mattresses are two Twin XL mattresses that can be pushed together to create a King-sized option. Split King is ideal for couples with split adjustable frames, as each side of the mattress can be raised and lowered independently.

Foundation Compatibility

Where are you going to put your mattress? Before you make a final decision, you might want to check out which foundations your mattress is compatible with. There are a few basic types of foundations you might encounter. Chances are, you probably already have one at home. Keep in mind that you should replace your foundation often as well and that you need a foundation that matches the size of your mattress.

• Platform foundations work well with most mattresses. These solid foundations are usually elevated off of the floor, allowing lots of room for storage under the bed. These foundations are best for memory foam mattresses especially because they provide a consistently solid support surface.
• Adjustable foundations work primarily with foam mattresses, though some hybrids are compatible as well. Adjustable foundations allow you to move the head and foot of the mattress up and down. You can find a comfortable sleeping position no matter how you sleep. However, adjustable foundations shouldn’t be used with innerspring mattresses.
• Slatted foundations use wooden slats to create a supportive surface. Slatted foundations work best for innerspring mattresses, though some hybrids can benefit from them as well. When using a slatted foundation with a memory foam mattress, make sure that the slats are wide and close together. Larger mattress sizes may require a centre support beam to ensure proper support throughout.
• A box spring foundation is a more traditional option, usually used with innerspring mattresses. You can use a boxspring with hybrid and foam mattresses too, but you should find one that’s designed for foam mattresses for it to be completely effective. In a pinch, a same-sized boxspring foundation will do for most mattresses.

You can find the compatibility information for most mattresses on the company website. However, some might require a bit more digging. You can always check with customer service if you aren’t sure.

Mattress Performance Features

Outside of the standard mattress features, you should look for, certain performance features that can make your nights that much easier. We mentioned some of these features above, as we evaluated each of the mattress recommendations on our list based on these parameters.

Motion Isolation

Great motion isolation ensures that you won’t be disturbed if your partner is tossing and turning. If you often sleep with pets, children, or your partner, look for a mattress that provides superior motion isolation. Foam mattresses are great at isolating motion and keeping it from making its way to the other side of the bed. Hybrid mattresses and their coils are also much better than traditional innerspring mattresses at isolating motion.

Look for foam mattresses with thick transition layers, as well as motion-isolating support foam cores. 

Temperature Control

A lot of Canadians sleep warm, with heat gathering up as they sleep. Foam mattresses make this problem worse sometimes, leading to more overheating than an innerspring mattress might create. To combat this, mattress manufacturers have added a ton of temperature control features to their mattresses. If you often wake up overheated, look for open-cell foam mattresses.

Other features you should consider are gel memory foam layers, proprietary phase-changing materials, or an increase in overall breathability. Some mattresses even have small perforations to allow heat to move away from you.

Support

Support is important in a soft mattress. Though all mattresses offer some measure of support, a lack of it can make sleeping that much more uncomfortable. Make sure to choose a mattress that adequately supports your body, balances your weight across the mattress, and provides support exactly where you need it.

Memory foam mattresses are great at this, but hybrid mattresses are generally more supportive. Remember to consider your preferences before choosing a mattress.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is one of the best perks you can expect from a soft mattress. Soft mattresses provide better pressure relief in general, as their plush surfaces are better at cradling your pressure points. Look for a foam mattress made of mostly memory foam. Since memory foam provides a comforting ‘hug’ and forms in your body, memory foam mattresses usually reduce the pressure the best.

If you can find a hybrid mattress with a pillow top, you can relieve pressure and get the best possible support.

Buying a Soft Mattress Online in Canada

Buying a mattress online is different from purchasing one in a physical store, but the process is somewhat simplified. Instead of driving to a store, dealing with salespeople, and trying to figure out how to get the mattress home (or paying an expensive delivery fee), you can shop from the comfort of your couch.

When you’ve chosen your mattress, it’s shipped right to your door. You can avoid the issue of delivery altogether and have your mattress ready to go in just a few days.

Further, prices are structured a little differently when you purchase online. Online mattress retailers have greatly reduced overhead costs. As a result, mattresses might be less expensive than comparable models available in brick-and-mortar stores.

Unboxing Your Mattress

When you purchase a mattress at a store, getting it set up at home is easy. You just carry it inside, put your bed sheets on, and you’re ready to go. An online mattress Is just as simple to set up, but it requires a few extra steps.

First, your mattress will arrive in a smaller box than you might expect. Mattresses ordered online are compressed to fit in smaller boxes for easier, cheaper shipping. All you have to do is remove the mattress from the box and place it on the foundation of your choice.

Once the mattress is out of the box, you can start cutting the plastic off of it. Once the plastic is cut, the mattress will immediately start expanding to regain its intended shape. Carefully cut all of the plastic away and situate the mattress on the foundation.

From the moment you remove the plastic, you have about 48 hours for the mattress to become the size it was intended to be. During this time, you can’t sleep on the mattress.

While the mattress expands, it may let off a slight odour. This ‘off-gassing’ period usually lasts a couple of days. These fumes are a byproduct of the manufacturing process for most mattresses, and it’s completely normal. If the odour bothers you, make sure to set up proper ventilation until it passes.

Your Sleep Trial and Warranty

Since you can’t try an online mattress in-store, Canadian mattresses in a box use sleep trials to help you decide which mattress you prefer. A sleep trial is a period (usually from 60 days up to 365 days) where you can test your mattress. During this time, you can return the mattress at any time if it doesn’t suit you. The company will give you a full refund of your purchase price and donate the mattress (if possible).

If you decide that you want to keep the mattress, you’ll have a warranty. Mattress warranties usually cover manufacturing defects, including deep indents, sagging, and other failures during normal use. Most mattress warranties last about 10 years, though longer warranties are better. Before you choose a mattress based on the warranty, make sure to review the warranty terms. Sometimes, the warranty is very specific about the defects it covers.