I wanted to see what this Softa mattress actually feels like when it lives in a real bedroom. Marketing copy throws around phrases like cooling gel and bamboo covers, yet my lower back does not care about ad slogans. It cares about night three, night ten, morning fifteen, when the foam either holds the line or caves.
Our test crew stayed the same as always. I handled coordination and my usual combination sleeping. Marcus brought his bigger frame and heat sensitivity. Mia showed up with her side-sleeping shoulders. Jenna shared the bed with Ethan for motion tests, while the rest of us rotated through solo nights. That rhythm let us stress the mattress from different angles without turning the week into a lab experiment.
We focused on the Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress, the main Softa model available in regular US sizes. It is a three-layer memory foam design with a viscose from bamboo cover, gel-infused comfort foam, high-density support foam, and a 10-year limited warranty. From the perspective of a reviewer who has seen many budget foam beds, this kind of configuration sits in the value-tier sweet spot, so I wanted to know how far it can actually stretch.
- 1. Product Overview
- 2. Testing Team Takeaways
- 3. Softa Mattress Comparison Chart
- 4. What We Tested and How We Tested It
- 5. Softa Mattress: Our Testing Experience
- 6. Compare Performance Scores of These Mattresses
- 7. Best Picks
- 8. How to Choose the Softa Mattress?
- 9. Limitations
- 10. Policies at a Glance
- 11. FAQs
- 12. Related Post
Product Overview
| Mattress | Pros | Cons | Ideal For | Price (Twin, approx.) | Overall Score |
| Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress | Strong pressure relief, low motion transfer, fair cooling | Softer edges, moderate bounce, mild off-gassing | Side sleepers, mixed sleepers, couples on a budget | $230–$250 | 4.1 / 5 |
Testing Team Takeaways
I started on my back, laptop open, pretending to work while actually checking lumbar feel. Under my lower spine, that top gel foam layer eased in slowly, not mushy, yet not rigid. After twenty minutes, I noticed my hips resting in a shallow cradle while my mid-back stayed level. During side-sleep, my shoulder tucked down without that sharp pinch that some firmer foams create. My first thought was, this kind of contour feels closer to a mid-market bed than a bargain bed. Overnight, shifting between back and side stayed easy, although the surface had that slow-response memory feel rather than a springy kick.
Marcus dropped onto the mattress with his usual heavy back-sleeper flop. The foam compressed under his hips, then stopped before he felt swallowed. He said, “I get that reset support under my lower back, not that hammock sag.” For him, heat always becomes the next test. Under those circumstances, a dense foam bed usually loses points. Here, the cooling gel foam and bamboo cover kept his temperature reasonable through the first part of the night, though he still felt some warmth near dawn. From his perspective, this kind of performance sits in the “tolerable for a hot sleeper” lane rather than a truly cold bed.
Mia moved in with her usual careful side-sleep ritual. She lay on the Softa mattress, pulled her knees a bit toward her chest, adjusted her shoulder angle, then went quiet. After about fifteen minutes, she opened one eye and said, “Pressure off my shoulders, finally.” Her lighter frame often rides high on firmer beds, yet this surface let her shoulder and outer hip sink enough to find a comfortable pocket. She noticed a gentle hug around the joints without that stuck feeling she hates. When she rolled from left side to right side, the mattress lagged just a beat behind her, very typical of memory foam, yet she never felt trapped.
Jenna tested the bed with Ethan for motion and edge behavior. She tends to notice every tiny shift from him. On this mattress, she reported, “I feel him climb in, then it just dies out fast.” From Jenna’s view, that kind of damping matters more than bounce. Ethan tosses through cycles at night, yet his smaller rolling motions stayed muted for her. When they both used the outer thirds during a movie night, Jenna did feel the softer edges under her thighs while sitting, especially near the corners. For sleeping near the edge, however, she remained comfortable unless she moved very close to the border.
Ethan focused on how easily he could turn. He said, “The bed lets me turn without thinking about it, but it is not bouncy.” He started on his side, shifted to his back in the early morning, then slid partially onto his stomach for a short nap. In his view, the medium-firm profile hit a workable middle ground. He did not feel any sharp pressure under his shoulders, yet he also did not feel his hips diving. That variance across positions made the mattress feel usable for restless combination sleepers who dislike extremes.
Softa Mattress Comparison Chart
This comparison chart looks simple because Softa currently centers on one main model, yet we still break out the key metrics.
| Mattress | Firmness (1–10) | Heights / Sizes | Thickness | Core Materials | Cooling Performance | Support Level | Pressure Relief | Responsiveness | Motion Isolation | Durability Expectation |
| Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress | 6–6.5 medium-firm | Twin, Full, Queen, King | 12" | Bamboo-blend cover, gel memory foam, transition foam, high-density base foam | Medium-good | Medium-high | High | Medium | High | Medium-high |
What We Tested and How We Tested It
For this Softa mattress review, we set up a standard sequence that we now know almost by muscle memory. The mattress came compressed in a box, then expanded on a platform frame in our test room. We let it air out across a day, tracking loft height and early off-gassing.
Each tester spent several full nights on the Softa mattress. I rotated first, then handed the bed to Marcus, followed by Mia, then Jenna and Ethan together. Jamal and Carlos joined shorter rotation sessions during daytime and early evening blocks, mainly for bounce, edge, and posture checks. That rolling schedule gave us stacked impressions under different weight loads and sleep patterns, without turning it into a clinical trial.
We scored the mattress on support, pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, durability projection, off-gassing, and value. Under each category, we considered at least two testers. For example, Marcus and Jamal covered heavier support and bounce, while Mia and I handled side-sleep pressure mapping through timed sessions. Jenna and Ethan covered couple behavior, wake-ups, and partner disturbance.
We also logged in-the-moment comments rather than quick morning summaries. During the first night, each tester kept a simple note app open, dropping quick phrases like “hips sinking more now” or “shoulder feels light” at set intervals. That approach created a timeline of sensations, then fed directly into the numeric scores you will see later.
Softa Mattress: Our Testing Experience
Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Softa Mattress Cooling-Contour All-Rounder
Our Testing Experience
The first moment on the Softa mattress felt familiar to me. I sat near the middle, watched the foam compress under my weight, and noticed that slow rebound typical of gel memory foam. When I moved from sitting to lying on my back, the surface pushed back gradually, not with a snap. That slow “settle” let my hips sink until my lumbar area just kissed the foam and stopped.
During my first full night, I started on my back, then rolled to my left side. Under my left shoulder, the top layer relaxed after about thirty seconds. I could feel the foam wrapping around the shoulder head while the rest of my torso stayed aligned. I caught myself thinking, this kind of contour usually appears on pricier foam beds. Later that night, I woke briefly, rolled to my right side, then pushed to my back again without much mental effort, which matters for a half-asleep brain.
Marcus handled the next two nights. He came in with his usual back-plus-stomach routine and his “am I overheating yet” radar. On the first night, he lay on his back, arms folded, focusing on his lower spine. After twenty minutes, he said, “I feel zoned-out support under my hips, no hammock today.” When he rolled forward onto his stomach, the mattress let his hips sink somewhat, yet the high-density base foam underneath held him closer to level than many cheap foam beds do under a heavier build.
Heat testing came next for him. Under those circumstances, Marcus tends to get warm on dense foam. On this Softa mattress, the gel-infused layer and bamboo cover moved the needle slightly for him. Early in the night, he felt cool enough across his back. Near morning, he described a mild heat halo yet not the full heat lock he often reports. In his view, hot sleepers who refuse any warmth may still want extra cooling accessories, but moderate heat-sensitive sleepers should land in a workable range.
Mia’s side-sleep feedback defined the pressure relief story. She lay near the center, curled slightly, and stayed still for a while. Under her petite frame, some foam beds barely flex, yet this one let her shoulder dip to a depth that surprised her. She whispered, “My shoulder lives in a soft pocket, yet my neck feels straight.” Over an extended session, she checked her knees and outer hip as well. She noticed gentle cushioning without that squashed-down feeling that can appear on ultra-plush beds.
When Mia rolled across the mattress from one side to the other, she felt a bit of drag from the memory foam. She mentioned a slow glide rather than a quick bounce, yet she never felt trapped. For light side sleepers, that balance matters. It allows a cushioned hug without those deep ruts that fight you during every repositioning.
Jenna and Ethan provided the couple-centric story. They treated one night as a “normal” evening. Ethan got in later while Jenna already lay on her side scrolling. When Ethan climbed in, the mattress absorbed his entry motion quickly. Jenna said, “I feel the first push, then it dies off fast.” That damping set the tone for the whole night. During Ethan’s usual restless rotations, she reported isolated waves under her own body yet no sharp jolts.
Edge usage told a more mixed tale. When they both sat near the edge to talk, the foam compressed noticeably under their thighs. Under that kind of perched posture, the Softa mattress felt softer and less secure than a firm hybrid with a reinforced perimeter. Once they lay down near the edge, the problem faded for standard weight levels, though heavier sleepers who sprawl right to the rim may still sense some taper.
During Ethan’s solo run, he tracked how the bed handled his broad position range. He started on his preferred side, rolled to his back around midnight, then drifted onto his stomach early in the morning. He told us later, “The mattress lets me turn without thinking, but I do feel the foam lag a bit.” That remark matched my own sense. The response sits in the medium zone. It resists quick spring, yet it does not keep you locked in a deep impression unless you stay in one spot for many hours.
From the perspective of an overall sleeper profile, this Softa mattress slots cleanly into the medium-firm all-rounder space. Average-weight back and side sleepers get strong contouring with steady support. Lighter side sleepers like Mia find enough give for shoulders and hips. Heavier back sleepers like Marcus get a usable surface, although strict heavy stomach sleepers might want extra firmness. Couples gain from the strong motion isolation, yet demanding edge sitters may wish for a more reinforced build.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Strong pressure relief for side and combo sleepers | Edge support softer for heavy edge sitters |
| Good motion isolation for couples | Moderate warmth for very hot sleepers |
| Balanced medium-firm feel across body types | Less bounce than hybrid mattresses |
| CertiPUR-US foam and OEKO-TEX certified cover | Mild off-gassing during first day |
| Value pricing compared with similar foam builds | Limited brand lineup and customization options |
Details
- Model name: Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
- Honorary SEO title: Softa Mattress Cooling-Contour All-Rounder
- Construction:Quilted cover made from viscose from bamboo and polyester blendComfort layer of gel-infused memory foamTransition foam for gradual pushbackHigh-density polyurethane base foam for structural support
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness feel: Medium-firm, around 6–6.5 on a 1–10 scale
- Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Estimated weight range: Typical for 12-inch memory foam mattress in each size
- Cooling features:Gel-infused foam to help disperse heatBreathable bamboo-blend cover that wicks moisture
- Pressure relief characteristics:Deep contouring at shoulders and hipsGradual transition into support core to avoid sharp cutoffs
- Support characteristics:High-density base foam resists mid-section sagComfort layers compress enough under weight while holding alignment
- Responsiveness:Slow-response memory feel on topSlightly quicker pushback from the transition layer
- Motion isolation:Strong damping across the surfaceMinimal cross-bed waves during partner movement
- Edge behavior:Softer sitting edgesAcceptable lying support for average weights away from extreme rim
- Durability projection:High-density base foam and 12-inch profile support multi-year useRotating the mattress occasionally should help wear patterns
- Off-gassing:Noticeable new-foam smell during first dayScent faded to faint background level within a couple of days in our space
- Certifications:Foams are CertiPUR-US certified for content and emissionsFabric cover carries OEKO-TEX Standard 100 listing according to product specs
- Shipping format: Bed-in-a-box, compressed and rolled
- Typical shipping cost: Often free or low-cost in the contiguous US through major retailers, though details vary by seller
- Trial / returns: No dedicated manufacturer home trial stated; buyers rely on retailer return windows
- Warranty: 10-year limited warranty against qualifying defects
- Price range:Twin around $230–$250 at time of researchLarger sizes scale upward with typical memory foam pricing steps
Review Score
| Metric | Score | Remarks |
| Support | 4.1 | Held alignment for my 185-pound frame and Marcus’s heavier build without mid-section sag. |
| Pressure Relief | 4.6 | Mia’s shoulders and hips relaxed into a soft pocket during long side-sleep sessions. |
| Cooling | 3.8 | Gel foam and bamboo cover moderated heat for Marcus, yet he still felt some warmth near morning. |
| Motion Isolation | 4.7 | Jenna barely felt Ethan’s late arrivals and restless turning across shared nights. |
| Responsiveness | 3.7 | Memory foam contour created gentle lag; repositioning stayed easy yet never bouncy. |
| Edge Support | 3.6 | Sitting near the edge compressed the foam more than on reinforced-edge hybrids. |
| Durability | 3.9 | High-density base foam and 12-inch build indicate solid longevity for this price tier. |
| Off-gassing | 3.7 | New-foam smell showed up on day one, then faded after adequate airing. |
| Value | 4.5 | Strong pressure relief and motion control at a budget-friendly starting price. |
| Overall Score | 4.1 | Balanced everyday mattress for side and combo sleepers and budget-minded couples. |
Compare Performance Scores of These Mattresses
Since Softa focuses currently on this single main model, the performance table stays compact.
| Mattress | Overall Score | Support | Pressure Relief | Cooling | Motion Isolation | Durability | Responsiveness |
| Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
From the perspective of everyday sleepers, those numbers sketch a clear identity. Pressure relief and motion isolation sit at the top. Cooling and responsiveness land in the mid-range. Edge behavior and durability appear respectable for the price category, without chasing premium performance.
Best Picks
Here I treat the single Softa mattress as a multi-role player and assign focused awards.
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Best Softa Mattress for Side Sleepers – Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
This mattress hugs shoulders and hips without crushing them. Mia’s long side-sleep sessions stayed comfortable, with that “soft pocket” feel and a straight neck line. The high pressure-relief score reflects that experience. -
Best Softa Mattress for Couples – Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Jenna and Ethan saw very low motion transfer during real shared nights. Her comment about entry motion that “dies off fast” shows how effectively the foam soaks up movement. The high motion-isolation rating backs that up. -
Best Value Softa Mattress for Mixed Sleepers – Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
With a starting price near $230 for twin and a medium-firm feel, this mattress gives combination sleepers a strong feature set per dollar. My own back-to-side pattern felt supported enough for daily use, which drove the high value score.
How to Choose the Softa Mattress?
From the perspective of someone staring at one main model, choice becomes less about product lineup and more about fit. The Softa 12-inch mattress lives in a medium-firm, contouring foam lane. Under those circumstances, the key variables turn into your weight range, sleep position, heat tolerance, and how much you care about edge sitting.
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Lightweight side sleeper (e.g., under 140 pounds)
This kind of sleeper usually needs extra give at shoulders and hips. Based on Mia’s experience, the Softa mattress suits them well. She felt that “pressure off my shoulders” sensation and never floated on top like a board. -
Average-weight back sleeper (around 160–200 pounds)
For this profile, the mattress should feel balanced. In my view, the Softa surface works since my spine stayed level overnight. Carlos, during shorter sessions, also felt his mid-back stay straight while lying still. -
Hot sleeper who still wants memory foam
Marcus lives in this category. He felt some warmth late in the night, yet he rated the early-night temperature as workable thanks to the gel foam and bamboo cover. For someone like him, the Softa mattress fits if they pair it with breathable bedding or a cooling pillow. -
Heavier couple sharing a queen or king
For a pair where at least one sleeper sits above 220 pounds, this mattress remains usable, yet some trade-offs appear. Marcus noticed deeper compression near the edge while sitting. Under those circumstances, a firmer hybrid with perimeter reinforcement might feel more secure. Still, once they lie toward the center, support remains acceptable. -
Stomach sleeper above average weight
This group needs strong hip support. Marcus found stomach time usable for short naps yet not ideal for long, full-night sessions. If someone spends almost all night on their stomach and carries more weight around the hips, a firmer mattress may serve better.
In short, if you sleep mostly on your side or rotate between side and back, and you want memory foam contour with strong motion control at a budget price, this Softa mattress lines up well with that profile. If you demand strong bounce or sit on the edge frequently, your priorities may point elsewhere.
Limitations
The Softa lineup’s main limitation lies in its lack of variety. As far as our research shows, this 12-inch gel memory foam design stands as the primary mainstream model. That means there is no ultra-firm or ultra-plush sibling for more extreme preferences.
Heavier sleepers above a certain range will probably feel the softer edge behavior more sharply. Marcus already noticed a bit of edge give at around 230 pounds. Under those circumstances, people above that weight who use the sides frequently may feel undersupported while sitting.
Pure stomach sleepers who keep that position all night might want something stiffer. During tests, Marcus and I could nap on our stomachs, yet neither of us would choose that configuration for seven hours straight. The hips drift slightly lower than ideal in extended prone sessions.
Fans of very bouncy, traditional innerspring beds will probably miss the lively feel. The Softa mattress behaves like a modern memory foam bed, with slow contouring and limited rebound. Jamal, who typically enjoys strong “drive out of the surface,” described the bounce here as adequate for changing positions yet not energizing.
Policies at a Glance
Policies vary by retailer, since Softa sells largely through third-party channels rather than a stand-alone direct-to-consumer site. We summarize the general pattern observed across major listings.
| Mattress | Shipping (Cost / Region) | Trial Period | Return Policy / Fees | Warranty Length | Notable Conditions |
| Softa 12 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress | Often free or low-cost shipping in contiguous US; details depend on retailer | Typically standard retailer window, often around 30 days | Returns handled through retailer; may involve return shipping or restocking depending on seller | 10 years | Keep proof of purchase; damage from misuse usually excluded; bed arrives compressed in box |
From the perspective of a buyer, the warranty looks competitive for a budget foam mattress, yet the trial depends on the store, not a Softa-branded sleep guarantee. Under those circumstances, shoppers should read the retailer’s fine print carefully, especially on return shipping and packaging requirements for opened mattresses.
FAQs
1. Is the Softa mattress good for side sleepers?
Yes, especially for light to average-weight side sleepers. Mia’s sessions gave the clearest evidence. She felt her shoulders and hips sink into a soft pocket without harsh pressure spikes. My side-sleep runs also felt stable, with my spine staying straight from neck to tailbone.
2. Does the Softa mattress sleep hot?
From Marcus’s perspective as a hot sleeper, the Softa mattress runs slightly warm yet still manageable. The gel-infused foam and bamboo cover pulled some heat away during the first half of the night. By early morning he felt mild warmth, though not the stifling heat he sometimes reports on denser, un-gelled memory foam beds.
3. How firm is the Softa mattress in real use?
In our testing, the feel landed in the medium-firm range. I would place it around 6 to 6.5 on a 1–10 scale. On my 185-pound frame, I felt a gentle cradle with clear pushback underneath. Marcus felt slightly softer due to his weight, while Mia felt slightly firmer yet still pressure-relieving. That variation matches what we expect from a single medium-firm foam design across body types.
4. Is the Softa mattress good for couples?
For couples who care about motion isolation, this mattress performs strongly. Jenna hardly felt Ethan’s late-night returns, despite his restless turning pattern. Her quote, “I feel the first push, then it dies off fast,” captures the experience. Edge sitting felt softer for them, yet once they lay down away from the very edge, stability returned.
5. How does the Softa mattress handle heavier sleepers?
Heavier sleepers like Marcus, at around 230 pounds, experienced solid support through the middle of the mattress. His lower back stayed lifted during back-sleep, and stomach naps remained acceptable for shorter stretches. However, he did notice more give near the edges while sitting and a slightly softer feel in prone positions. Very heavy sleepers or strict stomach sleepers might prefer a firmer or hybrid option.
6. What about off-gassing and smell?
We noticed a distinct new-foam odor when unboxing. That scent stayed noticeable during the first day, then dropped off steadily. By the third day, none of us paid attention to it anymore. Under those circumstances, I suggest unboxing in a ventilated room and letting the mattress breathe before long use.
7. Can I use the Softa mattress on an adjustable base?
The Softa mattress uses flexible foam layers and comes compressed in a box, characteristics that usually pair well with adjustable bases. In our quick checks, the mattress bent cleanly at the joints without awkward folding. As far as structural stress is concerned, a solid platform, slatted base with close spacing, or adjustable frame all suit this kind of all-foam build, as long as the support surface stays stable.
8. Is the Softa mattress safe in terms of materials?
According to product information, the foams carry CertiPUR-US certification, and the fabric cover holds an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label. That combination means the components meet established standards for emissions and certain chemical contents. In our room, aside from the short-term off-gassing, we did not notice any lingering chemical smell during later nights. Wholesale Mattress Warehouse
9. How long should this mattress last?
Durability always depends on use, weight, and foundation quality. Based on the 12-inch profile, high-density base foam, and 10-year warranty, we project a solid mid-range lifespan for a foam mattress in this price tier. Rotating it every few months and keeping it on a supportive base should help maintain performance.
10. Who should skip the Softa mattress?
From our group testing, I would steer ultra-hot sleepers who despise any warmth toward cooler hybrids. Very heavy strict stomach sleepers may also want a firmer, more reinforced option. People who spend long periods sitting on the bed’s edge, for work or TV, will probably want stronger perimeter support than this Softa mattress delivers.
