- We spent more than 1,500 hours researching and testing the top mattresses on the market and consulting with 21 sleep experts to compile our recommendations.
- Our testers evaluated more than 130 models and recorded our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
- We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our two surveys of 1,200 mattress owners total (one targeting general customers and one targeting higher-weight sleepers). This includes price, features, and the setup process.
- Our surveys show that side-sleeping is the most popular sleep position.
- Learn more about how we test the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Key takeaways
- The Saatva Classic is our pick for the best mattress for side sleepers overall, thanks to its exceptional pressure relief and high-quality materials.
- Based on more than 1,000 hours of testing and our two surveys of 1,200 mattress owners total, we found that side sleepers need a mattress with ample cushioning around the hips and shoulders to keep pressure point pain at bay and sufficient support to ensure a neutral spine.
- Mattresses for side sleepers can range in price from $750–$2,300 or more, depending on size, construction, and materials.
While there are a number of ways to address poor sleep, ensuring you find the best mattress for your sleep position is an important consideration and can improve your sleep quality. Sleep is essential to daily functioning and mental health, so ensuring you have the right mattress for you is a choice for your overall wellness.
“The link between sleep health and mental health is a two-way road. For example, adults with poor sleep health experience depressive symptoms at high rates. Similarly, adults with more depressive symptoms are also more likely to experience poor sleep health.” — Joseph Dzierzewski, senior vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation
If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll need a mattress that offers plenty of body contouring and pressure relief to prevent aches and pains in the shoulder and hip areas. Side sleepers also need enough support to maintain a neutral spine. But with so many mattresses on the market, it can be challenging to find the perfect fit.
Fortunately, the Handbook Team has personally tested hundreds of mattresses and rounded up a list of the eight best for side sleepers in 2024. No matter your body type and personal preferences, you should be able to find a mattress that will work for you.
8 best mattresses for side sleepers of 2024
- Saatva Classic: Best mattress overall for side sleepers
- Helix Midnight Luxe: Best pillow top mattress for side sleepers
- Nectar Premier: Best mattress for side-sleeping couples
- The WinkBed: Best mattress for side sleepers with lower back pain
- Nolah Original Hybrid: Best mattress for side and back sleepers
- Titan Plus Luxe: Best mattress for heavy side sleepers
- Puffy Cloud: Best memory foam mattress for side sleepers
- Leesa Sapira Chill: Best cooling mattress for side sleepers
- Bear Elite Hybrid: Best mattress for shoulder and hip pain
What to look for in a mattress for side sleepers
- Soft-to-medium firmness: Side sleepers usually need a softer mattress so their hip and shoulder sink into the material.
- Extra support under the torso: Side sleepers benefit from a mattress with stronger coils or foam under the torso for spinal alignment.
- Easy to move around on: Side sleepers tend to roll from one side to the other throughout the night, and a bouncy mattress makes this movement easier—especially when the material quickly pops back to its original shape.
- Pressure relief: To minimize pressure in the hips and shoulders, look for pressure-relieving materials and a cushioning top layer.
Best mattress for side sleepers overall: Saatva Classic
Why the Saatva Classic is our pick for best overall
The Saatva Classic is our pick for the best mattress for side sleepers overall because side sleepers are especially prone to discomfort caused by pressure on their shoulders, and this mattress cushions joints while offering ample pressure relief. Side sleepers tend to be more comfortable in softer mattresses, and this mattress contours to the body without the sinkage While some softer mattresses offer good contouring sinkage, sinkage is also a result of wear and tear. Foam materials especially sink over time, resulting in a sagging feeling, which provides less support. that makes movement difficult. At the same time, two layers of high-quality steel coils support the torso and lower back.
Who should use the Saatva Classic: People who prefer a bouncy innerspring-hybrid mattress with great pressure relief should consider the Saatva Classic.
Who should not use the Saatva Classic: Couples who are sensitive to each other’s movements may not appreciate how easily motion transfers The degree of movement felt on one side of the mattress when a sleeping partner moves on the other side of the bed. from one side of the Saatva Classic to the other.
If you’d rather have
If you’d rather have a mattress with excellent motion isolation, take a look at The WinkBed, which is reviewed below. The brand’s softer model is suitable for side sleepers and offers similar support and pressure relief compared to the Saatva Classic—but does a much better job of dampening a partner’s movement.
Saatva Classic tester insights
Our team loves the Saatva Classic mattress because it’s made with high-quality materials. Its tufted pillow top, made with organic cotton, makes our tester team feel like we’re resting at a five-star hotel. The plush soft model cushions our hips and shoulders (an important consideration for side sleepers) and helps alleviate joint pain. We also like the strong coil system—it helps support our spines and keep them in the proper alignment. The coils also help distribute body weight evenly, eliminating pressure point pain.
From one of our Saatva Classic testers:
“The Saatva Classic mattress is a great match for side sleepers, thanks to its pressure-relieving pillow top. If you like responsive mattresses, this is a great option.”
The Saatva Classic mattress has a classic innerspring feel, making it quite bouncy. We don’t sink into the comfort layer, so moving around on this bed is easy. That said, it doesn’t isolate motion The containment of movement on one area of a mattress so it doesn’t impact other areas. as well as other beds on the market. In our seismograph tests While seismometers are instruments used to test the motion of the ground during an earthquake, we use a similar tool to measure movement across mattresses. , we see quite a bit of motion after dropping a steel ball on the mattress surface. If you share a bed with a partner, you may want to consider The WinkBed or Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid mattresses instead.
We’ve also noticed this mattress doesn’t trap much body heat. The breathable cover and airflow-promoting coils help dissipate heat and keep us cool throughout the night.
If you are interested in Saatva, consider their adjustable beds, which may provide a more customized, supportive sleep experience. Learn more in our in-depth Saatva adjustable bed review.
Best pillow top mattress for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe
Why the Helix Midnight Luxe is our pick for best pillow top mattress for side sleepers
The Helix Midnight Luxe pillow top is made of breathable Tencel A brand of sustainable cellulose fiber made from wood pulp, which is used in clothing, footwear, home linens, carpets, mattresses, and pillows because it’s highly breathable, hygienic, and comfortable. fibers, which our testers love thanks to the mattress’s cloud-like feel. This pillow top mattress feels softer than average, coming in at 5.5 out of 10 (with 10 being the firmest) on our firmness scale. The plush feel is great for side sleepers because it may help alleviate shoulder and hip pain.
Despite the soft foam layers and pillow top, the Helix Midnight Luxe has a supportive coil base that gives it a balanced feel—you shouldn’t feel like the mattress “bottoms out” or causes spinal misalignment. The coils also make it easy for our testers to move around on top of the mattress, but the Helix Midnight Luxe isn’t as bouncy as classic innerspring beds.
Finally, we like the mattress’s zoned support. It feels firmer toward the center, helping promote proper spinal alignment and alleviate lower back pain in many sleeping positions, including side sleeping.
Who should use the Helix Midnight Luxe: People should like the balanced feel of the Helix Midnight Luxe if they love a plush mattress but need the support often found in a firmer mattress.
Who should not use the Helix Midnight Luxe: Couples looking for a mattress with minimal motion transfer should consider other options.
Helix Midnight Luxe tester insights
Helix sells a wide variety of mattresses, and many work well for side sleepers. But we really like the Helix Midnight Luxe, because it cushions our testers’ shoulders and hips and is specifically designed for side sleeping. It feels slightly softer than average while still offering plenty of lumbar support.
From one of our Helix Midnight Luxe testers:
“I really like the Helix Midnight Luxe’s balance of comfort and support. I got the pressure relief I needed when I slept on my side, and I got plenty of lumbar support when I rested on my back.”
When we use this mattress, we notice it has a balanced hybrid feel. The comfort layers provide gentle contouring, while the coils make the surface easily respond to our movement. Our testers find it easy to move around on top of this bed, and we don’t feel “stuck inside” it.
Unfortunately, this mattress’s bouncy feel translates to poor motion isolation The containment of movement on one area of a mattress so it doesn’t impact other areas.[/tooltip. Our testers say they feel bounced around when another person crawls or jumps on the mattress. If you share the bed with kids, pets, or a restless partner, you may wake up when they move around. On the other hand, the Helix Midnight Luxe has great [tooltip size="medium" trigger="edge support" icon="true"]Edge support is a bed’s strength and stability around the perimeter. , so everyone can maximize full use of the mattress without crowding the center.
Read our in-depth Helix mattress review to learn more.
Best mattress for side-sleeping couples: Nectar Premier
Why the Nectar Premier is our pick for best mattress for side-sleeping couples
The Nectar Premier has soft, cushioning foam that’s ideal for side sleepers and dampens motion. If you sleep with a partner who tosses and turns or your kids and pets frequently jump in and out of bed with you, you’re unlikely to feel their movements on the Nectar Premier.
Who should use the Nectar Premier: People who wake up easily when their partner moves around may appreciate the Nectar Premier’s exceptional motion isolation, especially if they like the cradling feeling of memory foam.
Who should not use the Nectar Premier: Some couples may want a bouncier mattress with better edge support, and it may be too soft for higher-weight sleepers (more than 250 pounds).
Consider the Nectar Memory Foam
Consider the Nectar Memory Foam if you prefer a slightly firmer memory foam mattress. In our tests, it performed similarly to the Nectar Premier.
For a hybrid mattress, the Nectar isolates motion quite well. To test for motion transfer, one of our testers rolled around on one side of the mattress while another rested on the other side. The second tester didn’t feel much movement on their side of the bed, so this should be a nice option for couples.
Nectar Premier tester insights
Because memory foam mattresses tend to be less supportive than innerspring or hybrid mattresses, our testers were pleasantly surprised by how well the Nectar Premier supports them. They can even lie close to the edge without feeling like they are in danger of falling off the bed.
Our testers rate the Nectar Premier 5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. They feel comfortable lying on their sides and don’t experience painful pressure in the shoulder or hip. However, this mattress isn’t firm enough to support our testers’ spines in the back and stomach sleeping positions, so it may not be a good choice if you switch positions throughout the night.
Like other foam mattresses, the Nectar Premier isn’t bouncy. The upside to this is limited motion transfer, which may help you sleep better if your partner’s tossing and turning wakes you up.
From one of our Nectar Premier testers:
“The Nectar Premier is really good for motion isolation. I noticed a little bit of movement near my feet when the other tester was moving around, but it was barely noticeable.”
To learn more, read our in-depth Nectar review or our full guide to the best mattresses for couples.
Best mattress for side sleepers with lower back pain: The WinkBed
Why The WinkBed is our pick for best mattress for side sleepers with lower back pain
If you’re a side sleeper with lower back pain, The WinkBed may be able to help you maintain the proper spinal alignment thanks to its zoned support, which makes the mattress feel firmer under the lower back and softer under the hip and shoulder.
The WinkBed is available in four firmness levels: softer, luxury firm, firmer, and plus. Side sleepers should opt for the softer model. When our testers use our pressure mapping A mat rolled across a mattress that uses color-coded thermal imaging to show how much pressure someone puts on the bed when they lie down on it. system on the luxury firm model, we see some pressure along the shoulder and hip region. The softer model should give side sleepers proper support without sacrificing cushioning around the hips and shoulders.
Who should use The WinkBed: Side sleepers with lower back pain should feel a balance of support and pressure relief on The WinkBed.
Who should not use The WinkBed: People looking for white glove delivery may want to consider an alternative like the Saatva Classic.
The WinkBed tester insights
The Winkbed mattress has a traditional bouncy feel with a tufted pillow top. It’s similar to what you may find in a hotel room. We think it’s easy to move around on top of the mattress, and surprisingly, it isolates motion quite well, too. If you share a bed with a partner or a pet, you should feel little, if any, movement on your side of the mattress.
From one of The WinkBed testers:
“The WinkBed mattress works well for a variety of people because it’s available at many firmness levels. I really liked the softer version when I slept on my side. I felt plenty of lumbar support and pressure relief.”
The Winkbed mattress has a traditional bouncy feel with a tufted pillow top. It’s similar to what you may find in a hotel room. We found it easy to move around on top of the mattress, and surprisingly, it isolated motion quite well too. If you share a bed with a partner or a pet, you shouldn’t feel any movement on your side of the mattress.
Best mattress for side and back sleepers: Nolah Original Hybrid
Why the Nolah Original Hybrid is our pick for best mattress for side and back sleepers
With a classic medium-firm feel, the Nolah Original Hybrid mattress offers the comfort and support that side and back sleepers need. The top layer of foam is solid under the back and perforated toward the head and foot of the mattress, creating a softer feel for the shoulders and hips in the side- and back-sleeping positions. Meanwhile, the base coils provide support for the back in both positions.
Who should use the Nolah Original Hybrid: Lower-weight (less than 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) sleepers who switch between the back and side sleep positions should feel comfortable on this mattress.
Who should not use the Nolah Original Hybrid: This mattress may not be firm or supportive enough for higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) side sleepers.
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid is another good choice for side sleepers from this brand. It has better edge support but costs more than the original Nolah Original Hybrid. It is also nearly three inches taller.
Nolah Original Hybrid tester insights
Our testers found the Nolah Original Hybrid feels softer than advertised. The company rates it 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, but we rate the Nolah Original Hybrid 5 out of 10. Our testers say they sink into the material more than other mattresses that score 6 for firmness, and the mattress has a plush feel. This is balanced with a bouncy feel that makes it easy to switch positions—like from side to side.
From one of our Nolah Original Hybrid testers:
“My hips and shoulders sink into the mattress, but in a healthy way. The material is accommodating and does a good job offloading pressure from my hips and shoulders.”
The company also claims that the Nolah Original Hybrid has the best edge support out of all the mattresses in their lineup, but we disagree—it’s actually one of the worst Nolah mattresses for edge support. Our testers say they have to work hard to keep themselves on the bed when seated on the edge because the material sinks excessively. Instead, we think the Nolah Evolution is a much better choice if you value a mattress with good edge support, but it’s pricier than the Nolah Original Hybrid and performs about the same for side sleepers.
Best mattress for heavy side sleepers: Titan Plus Luxe
Why the Titan Plus Luxe is our pick for best mattress for higher-weight side sleepers
If you weigh more than 250 pounds, you’ll want to find a mattress that’s durable and supportive. The Titan Plus Luxe, made by Brooklyn Bedding, was designed specifically for higher-weight people. This bed is topped with a thick layer of TitanFlex foam, a highly responsive foam that also offers the pressure relief side sleepers need. For support, this mattress has steel coils designed to provide edge support and motion isolation. We found the coils also help support the lower back and prevent sleepers from “bottoming out” on the bed, making it a comfortable mattress option.
Who should use the Titan Plus Luxe: Side sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds should feel the right amount of support and contouring in the Titan Plus Luxe.
Who should not use the Titan Plus Luxe: People looking for a mattress with good edge support may not like the Titan Plus Luxe.
If you think the mattress is too soft
This company sells a firmer mattress called the Titan Plus, which we don’t typically recommend for side sleepers because it may not adequately conform to the shoulders and hips. However, if you think the Titan Plus Luxe is too soft, consider exchanging it for the Titan Plus during your 120-night trial period.
Titan Plus Luxe tester insights
Our testers range in height and body type, but for this review, we asked a tall, higher-weight person to test it out. When our tester slept on their side on the pressure map, we didn’t see a lot of pressure build up around the shoulder and hip. In fact, they didn’t have a lot of pressure buildup when they slept on their back, either. We did see quite a bit of pressure whenever they moved to their stomach, which was to be expected due to the mattress’s thick comfort layer.
From one of our Titan Plus Luxe testers:
“As a higher-weight side sleeper, I appreciated the Titan Plus Luxe’s balance of comfort and support. I didn’t feel any pressure on my shoulders, and I didn’t feel like I would sink through the top layer.”
This mattress can also be good for hot sleepers. The individually wrapped coils promote airflow, and if you need additional cooling features, you can opt for a GlacioTex Cooling Cover.
Best cooling mattress for side sleepers: Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid
Why the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is our pick for best cooling mattress for side sleepers
Our testers can feel the cooling properties of the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid as soon as they touch the material. They believe the plush model is best for side sleeping because it can help alleviate pressure along the shoulders and hips, which is what side sleepers need most. The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid also comes in medium-firm and firm, which may be better for higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) side sleepers.
Who should use the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid: Side sleepers looking for a high-quality, supportive mattress that doesn’t hold heat should consider the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid.
Who should not use the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid: People who don’t like bouncy mattresses may want to consider other options, although the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid does a good job of isolating motion for couples.
Our budget-friendly alternative
Our budget-friendly alternative to the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress in the soft model. Both performed similarly on most of our tests, but the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling is less supportive and costs half as much as the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid.
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid tester insights
Our testers say this mattress has a bouncy and responsive feel, making it easy to move around on top of the bed. That said, it has a thick comfort layer made of four types of foam, so it still isolates motion quite well. In our seismograph tests, we didn’t see a lot of motion after dropping steel balls onto the surface of the bed. This mattress also has impressive edge support, so it’s a good match for couples.
From one of our Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid testers:
“The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is incredibly responsive and pops back to its original shape right away, even though it’s plush. This made it really easy for me to roll from my side to my back or stomach. The surface remained cool the entire time I was on it.”
Best mattress for shoulder and hip pain: Bear Elite Hybrid
Why the Bear Elite Hybrid is our pick for best mattress for shoulder and hip pain
Our tests show the Bear Elite Hybrid offers the highest level of pressure relief for side sleepers. If you have hip or shoulder pain, a mattress with poor pressure relief could make the pain worse, but our testers scored this mattress 5 out of 5 for pressure relief.
Who should use the Bear Elite Hybrid: Side sleepers looking for a high level of pressure relief to avoid pain points in the shoulder or hip should appreciate the Bear Elite Hybrid.
Who should not use the Bear Elite Hybrid: People looking for excellent edge support or minimal motion transfer may not be satisfied with the Bear Elite Hybrid.
Our runner-up mattress
Our runner-up mattress for side sleepers with shoulder and hip pain is the Saatva Rx. It has firmer lower back support than the Bear Elite Hybrid and does a better job limiting motion transfer. It costs about $400 more when neither mattress is on sale, but sale prices often stretch the difference to nearly $1,000. Consider the Saatva Rx if you’re looking for a luxury mattress at a luxury price. Otherwise, we think the Bear Elite Hybrid offers the same great pressure relief for side sleepers at a more affordable price.
Bear Elite Hybrid tester insights
The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness levels, but we’re focusing on the medium model for this review. Our testers think the medium model is a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which makes it more of a medium-soft mattress—slightly softer than average.
The balance of firmness and softness means the Bear Elite Hybrid is a great option for side sleepers who benefit from cushioning around the hips and shoulders. Our testers say they feel gentle support under the torso, so the mattress maintains its softer feel from head to toe.
From one of our Bear Elite Hybrid testers:
“My arm usually falls asleep when I lie on my side because it gets compressed, but that doesn’t happen as often with the Bear Elite Hybrid. If I were to buy this mattress, I would go with the softer version because I think that would be even more comfortable for me.”
Testers notice little movement when another person rolls a 10-pound ball on the mattress and crawls around on it. When the other tester jumps on the other side of the bed, the movement is more drastic. “That would’ve woken me up,” one tester says. If you have kids who like to jump (literally) into bed with you, consider a mattress with better motion isolation.
Learn more in our in-depth Bear mattress review.
How we test and choose the best mattresses for side sleepers
The Handbook Team has researched many mattresses online and in person and hand-selected about 130 (and counting) of the best models to test. We’ve also surveyed 1,200 total shoppers (in two 600-people surveys) and interviewed recent mattress customers to understand the buying process and how their new bed has impacted their sleep quality, physical health, and mental wellness.
According to one survey
According to one survey of 600 mattress owners, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
First-hand testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
For this review, we focus on mattresses that scored 5 to 6.5 on the firmness scale, since softer mattresses are less likely to create shoulder and hip pain in side sleepers. We also look for mattresses that show little to no pressure buildup in our pressure map tests and prioritize models with zoned support (more support under the lower back compared to the hips and shoulders). Other features we test, like edge support and cooling, aren’t critical for side sleepers, but we select mattresses with good performance across all our tests.
Mattress surveys and interviews
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our surveys of 1,200 total mattress owners. These include price, features, and the setup process. We also interview real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress and the benefits of purchasing one.
For example, we discovered that most people sleep on their side and that 80 percent of side sleepers report lower back pain. Side sleepers were also more likely to buy a foam mattress than people who preferred any other sleep position. We use this information to prioritize certain criteria when selecting the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Objective and honest ratings
We use information from our surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews to determine the most important features in our brand and mattress testing scorecards.
To make our list, every model in this review must score at least average for support and above-average for pressure relief to accommodate most people’s comfort needs. Our superlatives and roundups cater to different preferences, so we filter the best mattresses uniquely to fit relevant criteria.
We also weigh the following factors to determine an overall rating for each brand we recommend.
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service | 15 percent | Customer care center hours, support options |
| Brand reputation | 10 percent | Years in business, lawsuits, class actions against this company |
| Features | 20 percent | Size options, firmness options, weight capacity, included add-ons (free sleep accessories) |
| User experience | 35 percent | White glove delivery, CERTIPUR-US certifications, risk-free trials |
| Affordability | 20 percent | Price, warranty, promotions |
Learn more about our mattress testing and review methodology.
Our mattress testing process
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “family” scores.
How to choose a mattress for a good night’s sleep
Mattresses are a sizeable financial investment, and choosing the right one for you can feel daunting because of what’s at stake (a good night’s sleep and better health), the money involved (often in the thousands of dollars), and the sheer number of choices available. Start by considering what mattress features are important to you and what you can live without. Then, use our mattress scores and reviews to find a good match.
Pressure relief
Pressure can build up when a mattress doesn’t distribute your body weight or conform to your curves well. Too much pressure can turn painful, disrupt your sleep, and cause you to wake up feeling sore. On the other hand, a mattress with excellent pressure relief feels like a cloud. Side sleepers tend to feel pressure in the shoulders and hips when a mattress doesn’t allow them to sink into the material.
Evaluating pressure relief can be tough to do on your own. Lying on a showroom mattress for five to 10 minutes may not give you enough time for pressure to build up and turn painful. You’re more likely to notice painful pressure build-up after a full night’s sleep, which is one of the reasons we highlight mattresses with lengthy trial periods and easy returns.
To help you objectively evaluate pressure, we use a pressure map on every mattress we review. This tool helps us visualize how much pressure is applied to different areas of the body when users lie on the mattress in various positions. The map uses thermal imaging to show high or low pressure. Blue and green hues identify low pressure, whereas high pressure is identified by yellow and red hues. When we say a mattress has great pressure relief for side sleepers, its pressure map is mainly blue. Mattresses with large red marks don’t make the cut for our roundups.
Mattress firmness
Many people do well with a mattress that’s neither too soft nor too firm. The mattress industry calls this a “medium-firm” or “luxury-firm” mattress, or about 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Most of the mattresses we recommend are medium-firm.
Although there are several ways to determine which firmness is likely to work for you (which we’ll explain below), your comfort ultimately dictates the best choice for you. It can be helpful to start your mattress shopping knowing the kind of mattresses you’ve enjoyed sleeping on in the past.
Read our recommendations for the best firm mattress and best soft mattress.
Sleep position
Your favorite sleep position can help you decide which firmness to try. Side sleepers generally do well with softer mattresses because the material is naturally more forgiving around the hip and shoulder, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Some side-sleepers may feel comfortable on a firm mattress with exceptional pressure relief.
If you switch positions throughout the night, think about whether you spend more time in one position versus another. Or, you might fall and stay asleep in one position. This can help you decide which firmness to prioritize. Couples also need to find a mattress that’s comfortable for both sleepers.
- Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers may prefer a medium-firm or firm mattress to prevent their hips from sinking too far into it. See our full stomach sleeper mattress guide.
- Back sleepers: If you sleep on your back, a medium-firm mattress is ideal because it’s more likely to contour to the natural S-shaped curve of the spine while also providing sufficient support to maintain that curve. See our full back sleeper mattress guide.
- Combination sleepers: If you change positions throughout the night, choose a supportive and comfortable mattress for the position you spend the most time in. Medium-firm mattresses provide a good balance of support for side, back, and stomach sleeping.
Sleeper’s body type
Consider your body type and weight when choosing a mattress firmness. Depending on their weight, two people can perceive the same mattress as firmer or softer. Generally, lighter-weight people may perceive a soft mattress as a medium-firm mattress. On the other hand, a firmer mattress is more supportive for higher-weight people, who may perceive it as a medium-firm mattress. See our full mattresses for higher-weight sleepers guide for recommendations.
Chronic pain and other health conditions can also affect your ideal mattress firmness. Mattresses for back pain and hip pain typically strike a balance between being supportive and cushioning. A medium-firm model often fits this parameter, but it depends on your specific condition and what you find comfortable. You may prefer an adjustable air chamber mattress like Sleep Number to customize the mattress’s firmness in response to your current pain levels.
Finally, consider your age or the age of the person you’re shopping for. Older adults may need a mattress that’s easy to move around on, and edge support may become more of a priority with age. Kids need different levels of support as they age, so many kid mattresses are flippable. See our full mattresses for kids guide.
Spinal alignment
A mattress that supports healthy spinal alignment is critical for preventing or reducing chronic pain. We spend about a third of our time in bed, so it’s important to maintain good posture during that time. The spine may curve unnaturally downward if a mattress doesn’t offer enough support. On the other hand, a mattress that doesn’t contour to the spine’s natural curvature can cause problems too.
For side sleepers, we like mattresses that have “zoned support,” which means the mattress uses stronger coils and denser foam under the torso and lower back compared to the shoulder and hip.
Temperature
Mattresses, especially foam ones, tend to trap body heat. This can lead to night sweats, tossing and turning, or difficulty falling asleep.
If you sleep hot, consider shopping for the best cooling mattresses. We’ve tested these models with temperature guns to see how well they disperse heat, so you know they do a good job.
Price
The queen-size mattresses that pass our tests tend to cost $1,000–$2,500 before manufacturer discounts. Although you can finance a mattress, some lenders charge high interest rates that could cause you to spend more money than anticipated in the long run.
If you’re looking for the best low-cost mattresses, read our guide to the best affordable mattresses. If you’re interested in the best mattresses money can buy, read our guide to the best luxury mattresses.
Trial period
Despite your thoughtful research, there’s still a chance your chosen mattress won’t meet your expectations. To be sure, you have to try it out for at least three months. Many mattress companies offer at least a 100-night trial. Don’t settle for less. Buy from a company with a good customer service reputation, so you’re more likely to have a pleasant return experience.
What is the best type of mattress for side sleepers?
There is no best mattress type for side sleepers since body type and personal preferences will dictate what makes a mattress feel comfortable. Here’s what to understand about different mattress types for side sleepers.
Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses can work well for side sleepers because the material responds to heat and pressure to gently contour around the body’s curves. Since side sleepers benefit from cushioning around the hip and shoulder areas, memory foam can be a great option. Some higher-weight sleepers, however, can find they sink too deeply into memory foam if it lacks sufficient support layers. Memory foam also has a distinctive “hugged” sensation that may or may not appeal to you, and it can retain body heat.
According to our Handbook Team’s survey, most side sleepers buy memory foam mattresses. If you think this type of mattress will work for you, check out our full review of the best memory foam mattresses.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine comfort layers and a coil base for a great balance of cushioning and support. That makes them ideal for most sleep styles, including side sleepers. You can find hybrid mattresses made with materials like memory foam and latex, which work pretty well for side sleepers, stacked on top of innerspring coils for ample support. See our guide to the best hybrid mattresses for our top picks.
Innerspring
The most traditional construction, innerspring mattresses are similar to hybrid mattresses, combining comfort layers with coils. However, the ratio is different. Innerspring mattresses primarily comprise innerspring coils, with a thin layer or two of soft materials on top. That gives them a bouncy responsiveness, but it may make them too firm for many side sleepers. Learn more about the best innerspring mattresses we’ve tested so far.
Latex
Latex mattresses, which often feature a coil layer but can be made entirely of latex, have gentle buoyancy, excellent pressure relief, and good cooling properties. The key for side sleepers is finding a latex mattress that’s not overly firm to ensure the shoulder and hip have the cushioning they need. We rounded up our favorites in the best latex mattresses.
Organic
Organic mattresses are made of natural materials like wool, cotton, and natural latex that’s sustainably sourced from rubber tree sap. These eco-friendly mattresses also tend to be allergen-friendly, making them a good choice for people sensitive to the processing chemicals sometimes found on other mattresses. There are quite a few to choose from, so check out our recommendations in our guide to the best organic mattresses.
Does mattress size matter?
A large surface area can help you stay comfortable as you roll from one side to the other throughout the night. If you sleep with a partner, consider one of the best king-size mattresses. If you sleep solo, take a look at the best queen-size mattresses.
What are the benefits of sleeping on your side?
Research suggests sleeping on your side may open your airway more than sleeping on your back, which in turn may help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleeping on the left side is associated with a decrease in acid reflux.
Pregnant women are often encouraged to lie on their left side because lying on the right side can cause the uterus to place pressure on internal organs like the liver, and lying on the back can cause the uterus to compress the largest vein in the body, the inferior vena cava. However, at least one study concluded that sleeping on your back or right side isn’t harmful to your baby, so don’t fret if you are unable to get comfortable on your left side or wake up in a different position.
Our final verdict
Of all the mattresses we’ve tested so far, the Saatva Classic is our top pick for side sleepers. It’s one of the few mattresses that offers the highest levels of support without sacrificing pressure relief. Side sleepers should consider the plush soft or luxury firm options for adequate sinkage around the shoulder and hip areas.
If the Saatva Classic doesn’t fit your budget, consider our runner-up, the Helix Midnight Luxe. Our testers say this hybrid mattress feels luxurious and comfortable for side sleepers, but it comes at a more affordable price. Rounding out our top three picks is our favorite memory foam mattress for side sleepers, the Nectar Premier, which also works well for couples thanks to virtually no motion transfer.
No matter which mattress you decide to try, give yourself plenty of time to break it in and allow your body to adjust. According to our focus group, some people immediately sleep better on a brand-new mattress, but others need a few days to start feeling better. We only recommend mattresses with at least a 100-day trial period (the industry standard) to ensure you can decide if it’s right for you.
Compare the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2024
| Price | $1,295–$2,790 | $1,395–$2,990 | $1,049–$2,398 | $1,149–$2,049 | $1,299–$2,798 | $899–$1,948 | $1,499–$1,919 | $1,499–$1,919 | $1,893–$3,920 |
| Our firmness score | 6/10 (Plush Soft model) | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 (softer model) | 5/10 | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Material | Innerspring hybrid | Innerspring-hybrid | Memory foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | Lifetime |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights |
| Best for | Sleepers who like bouncy beds | Best overall | Best for side-sleeping couples | Side sleepers with lower back pain | Best for back and side sleepers | Higher-weight side sleepers | Side sleepers who overheat at night | Side sleepers who overheat at night | Side sleepers who share a bed with a partner |
Frequently Asked Questions
Side sleepers should look for mattresses with thick comfort layers that will contour around the hip and shoulder areas. It doesn’t matter if the bed contains coils or layers of foam for support, as long as the top layers offer enough pressure relief for the shoulder and hip. Side sleepers also need a mattress with enough support to maintain proper spinal alignment.
Soft and medium-firm mattresses work best for side sleepers. Look for something that falls between 5.5 out of 10 and 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. This ensures gentle cushioning around the hips and shoulders, which will help reduce pressure. Firm mattresses could put pressure on the shoulder and hip, which can cause joint pain over time.
Memory foam is a great material for side sleepers because it cushions joints and alleviates pressure. In fact, memory foam is known for its pressure-relieving benefits, and latex mattresses offer the same benefit. That said, you don’t need to get an all-foam mattress if you’re a side sleeper. Hybrid mattresses with coils at the bottom and foam on top can also work well. They deliver the balance of comfort and support that all sleepers need, including those who rest on their sides.
Side sleepers with back pain should look for a medium-firm mattress with a zoned support system, such as the Saatva Classic or The WinkBed. Mattresses with zoned support feel firmer toward the center of the bed, which helps keep the spine in the proper alignment. This, in turn, can help alleviate back pain over time. Zoned support can also help evenly distribute body weight, which can help reduce pressure point pain.
The best mattress for higher-weight people is the Titan Plus Luxe mattress. This bed was made specifically for people who weigh more than 250 pounds. It has a strong coil system that won’t sag over time and a plush comfort layer that helps cushion joints and contours around the hips and shoulders.
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