"Love So Soft" has received a positive response from music critics, some of whom praised Clarkson's vocal performance in the song. "Time" correspondent Raisa Bruner wrote that the song "works as a nice showpiece for Clarkson's voice", while "Rolling Stone"s Jon Blistein described it as brassy, and along with "Move You", as galvanic. Writing for NPR, Karen Gwee observed that Clarkson's performance on the chorus is more chanted than belted, but nevertheless praised her voice which pulls the track out of the "ubiquitous-anonymous, grocery aisle territory", and remarked that only a few others have her "easy confidence and her vocal ability" to flaunt fully on the bridge and final chorus. In his report for Idolator, Wass compared the song as falling closer to the "Back to Basics"-era Christina Aguilera in its blend of old and new. Reviewing for "'Forbes", McIntyre has initially expressed reservation for Clarkson venturing into trap territory, but remarked that the worry will be only momentary, as its horns aid to bring the soul the song needed. Describing it as musical follow-up to Duffy's "Mercy" (2008), he also noticed that the song didn't have the immediate punch her previous lead singles "Since U Been Gone" and "My Life Would Suck Without You" did, but wrote that that appears to be the point—which is to present an older, wiser, and more experienced Clarkson. Following its release, "Love So Soft" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 60th Annual ceremony.