Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Mattress Nerd consulted Dr. Tom Ingegno to ensure that this article met our editorial standards.

Written by Loren Bullock, Lead Mattress Tester

Methodology

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed hundreds of mattresses and sleep products for over eight years using hands-on testing. We assess each sleep product for comfort, support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief, and more. Learn more.

In This Article

We’ll share our our top choices for the best mattresses for side sleepers and considerations when looking for the best mattress for you. We recently updated this article with updated testing.

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Did you know that about 74 percent of adults sleep on their sides for at least a portion of the night? For many, there’s no cozier position than side sleeping. Whether you like to extend your legs fully, keep one straight, or pulling them both up to your chest, curling up on one side is certainly a comforting way to rest. 

In this guide, we’re presenting the best mattresses for side sleepers along with a detailed list of qualities to look for and the benefits of sleeping on your side. If you still need guidance on your mattress buying journey afterwards, check out our ultimate mattress buying guide.

Bottom Line: What’s the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers?

Our expert mattress testers chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as the Nerd’s Pick for the best mattress for side sleepers due to its plushy comfort layer and supportive coils which provide support and pressure relief when side sleeping.

Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

• Helix Midnight – Nerd’s Pick
• Saatva Classic – Best Innerspring Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Side Sleepers
• The Winkbed – Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers 
• Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Side Sleepers
• DreamCloud Premier – Best Luxury Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Nolah Evolution– Best Mattress for Side Sleeping Couples
• Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy Side Sleepers
• Leesa Original – Best Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: Video Review

Chosen by Experts and Advocates

To put together this list of the best mattresses for side sleepers, our Certified Sleep Science Coaches performed hands-on testing to evaluate elements like motion isolation, edge support, and pressure relief.

Given the high percentage of adult side sleepers, you’d think that it would be the preferred sleeping position among our mattress testers. However, certified sleep science coach Daniel is the one dedicated side sleeper on our team, and so he acts as one of our representatives for readers needing great pressure relief, spine alignment, and soft to medium-firm firmness in a mattress. The products on this list were tested by our team of expert product testers and received their esteemed side-sleeper stamp of approval. To learn more, check out our review process.

Nerd’s Pick: Helix Midnight

Pros of the Helix Midnight

Great for value shoppers

Breathable construction for hot sleepers

Pressure relief to help prevent back pain

Cons of the Helix Midnight

Not super responsive for combination sleepers

Needs more support for heavy back and stomach sleepers

The Helix Midnight is our best overall option— aka our Nerd’s Pick. It’s an all-around great mattress that is good for sleepers under 230 pounds in every sleeping position. It also tested well for couples, for cooling, and for just about anything you could want. Helix makes their mattresses with all sleeping preferences in mind, but the Helix Midnight is perhaps their most well-rounded choice.

The Helix Midnight performed almost perfectly in our testing when it came to side sleepers of all body types. We gave the bed a 5 out of 5 for side sleepers under 230 pounds, and a 4 out of 5 for side sleepers over 230 pounds. Not only does it have the necessary medium firmness level, but the reinforced perimeter and strong coils help keep your body elevated in the areas that tend to sag. This promotes proper spinal alignment, while still being soft enough to provide good pressure relief for your shoulders and hips.

How We Select Nerd’s Pick

We select our Nerd’s Pick not based on the overall scoring of the mattress, but how well it suits the average side sleeper. In making this decision we considered factors specific to side sleepers—such as pressure relief, contouring, and spinal alignment—as well as factors that affect all kinds of mattress shoppers, such as price, durability, and company policies. We believe that for the widest range of side sleepers, the Helix Midnight is the best option; however, we encourage you to read each of these mini-reviews to make sure there isn’t a better mattress for your specific needs.

What our testers say: “Considering my petite frame, the Midnight Luxe had a cushioning feel, but the foam didn’t contour to every inch of my frame. I sank into the foam a little, but not too far. The coils kept me lifted and added bounce to the feel of the mattress.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Helix Midnight

• Hot sleepers – Though topped with usually hot foam, the Helix Midnight’s breathable layers and coils for airflow ensure that you remain cool through the night.
• Those with back pain – This mattress also comes with great pressure relief to deal with back pain and cushion all the right places for side sleepers.

Who Might Not Like the Helix Midnight

• Heavy back and stomach sleepers – While the Helix Midnight is a durable option, folks over 230 pounds might want to explore the Helix Plus, a model made for larger bodies and designed with enhanced support.
• Combination sleepers – While this bed does have more of a lift than many all-foam mattresses, we still found it to be a little difficult to switch sleeping positions.

Other User Reviews

On Helix’s website, the mattress scores 4.5 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews come mostly from side sleepers who found the mattress too firm or too soft, and therefore uncomfortable for their tastes. After all, this is a medium-firm bed with a more balanced feel. Positive reviews cite pain relief, easy set-up, and overall comfort.

Read our full Helix Midnight Review to learn more or check out our list of the best mattresses for additional options.

Best Innerspring Mattress for Side Sleepers: Saatva Classic

Pros of the Saatva Classic

Super versatile for most body types and sleeping positions

Great cooling features

Bouncy, responsive feel

Supportive and cushioning, especially for those with back pain

Cons of the Saatva Classic

The responsiveness is offset by slightly less motion isolation

Shoppers on a tighter budget may prefer something more affordable

The Saatva is our pick for the best innerspring mattress for side sleepers. The Saatva contains two layers of coils: one of individually encased coils that provides contouring and pressure relief, and one of support coils that contributes to the Saatva being one of the most durable mattresses we’ve ever tested at Mattress Nerd.

While the Saatva earns a spot on our list as the best innerspring mattress for side sleepers, it has a lot more going for it than just two impressive coil layers. First off, it’s important to note that in addition to these highly durable springs, the Saatva also has a softer top layer of memory foam. The hybrid construction balances out the durability, support, and breathability with cradling and comfort; a recipe that results in perfect scores in the categories of edge support, ease of movement, temperature, and breathability.

What our testers say: “When I put the Saatva Classic in the Luxury Firm model to the Mattress Nerd lab test, there were some areas of pressure at my hips and shoulders while side sleeping. Because of that, I’d recommend the softer model to provide good pressure relief.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Saatva Classic

• Those with back pain – The Saatva Classic’s high quality construction allows for great support of the lower back, reducing the possibility of pain.
• Hot sleepers – With dual coil layers, this mattress has great airflow and therefore is one of the best cooling mattresses.

Who Might Not Like the Saatva Classic

• Restless couples – You may feel your partner tossing and turning on the other side of the bed.
• Budget shoppers – Saatva is a luxury mattress band, so you may want to look at our next mattress below for a more affordable option.

Other User Reviews

According to Saatva’s website, the Classic comes in at a 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviews are generally positive praising the bed’s high-quality construction and comfort. Some customers complained about issues with delivery or felt the bed didn’t hold up as long as they would’ve liked.

Read our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more! Still not sold on the Saatva Mattress? Check out other innerspring mattresses that may be a better fit for you!

Best Firm Mattress for Side Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress

Pros of the Plank Firm

Perfect for those who find most beds too soft

Good for side sleepers who prefer a firm mattress

Helpful for those with back pain

Cons of the Plank Firm

Not the best contouring

Responsive, but not that great at motion isolation

Side sleepers may give the side eye to firm mattresses, but the Plank is different. It’s a flippable, all-foam mattress with a firm side and an extra-firm side, so you can pick just how firm you want your bed. We’d recommend the firm side for average-weight individuals, and the extra-firm side for heavier bodies.

Here’s where it gets good for side sleepers. During testing, the firm side of the bed relieved pressure very well and kept our average weight tester’s spine aligned. Those are two key factors in determining whether or not a bed will work well for side sleepers—check and check. Plus, the Plank Firm is one of the most quality mattresses that fall under $1,500 for a Queen. By using our link, you’ll get an even lower price!

What our testers say: “I didn’t expect to recommend the Plank Firm to side sleepers because firm mattresses typically cause pressure to build up around the hips and shoulders. Surprisingly, I saw very little pressure on both sides of the Plank Firm when using our pressure map during testing.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Plank Firm

• People who tend to find beds too soft – When the Plank Firm says it’s firm, they mean it! We’ve compared it to sleeping on the ground with only a thin mattress topper.
• Those with back pain – As its firm, it can provide you with the proper support for your lumbar region.

Who Might Not Like the Plank Firm

• Couples – Responsiveness often equals lackluster motion isolation, and that’s the case here. You’re probably going to feel your partner tossing and turning.
• Lightweight sleepers – For lighter sleepers, the mattress’ firmness doesn’t lend itself well to contouring, meaning the right parts might not be cushioned as you sleep on your side.

Other User Reviews

On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets 4.8 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews tend to say that the bed is either too firm or softer than they expected. But, overall, many people seem satisfied and are finding relief from chronic pain.

Read our full Plank Mattress Review to learn more! Still not sold on the Plank Mattress? Check out other firm mattress options that may be the right fit for you!

Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers: The WinkBed

Pros of the WinkBed

Gel-infused foam and innerspring coils for breathability

Firm options give great bounce

Great for side sleepers of all sizes

Cons of the WinkBed

Motion isolation isn’t the best

Not ideal for memory foam purists

Side sleepers should look for a mattress that’s on the softer side. Ideally, this bed should allow the hips and shoulders to sink into the bed, while also keeping the spine aligned. Memory foam beds are typically considered the best option for side sleepers’ required pressure relief, but what if you want a more supportive option, or one with a more “on top of” feel? Well, then hybrid mattresses, or beds combining foam and coils, should be the way to go.

The WinkBed is offered in three different firmness options, and should appeal to side sleepers of all body types. And even for sleepers on the heavier side who are afraid of sinking through the material, the WinkBed’s firmer options provide extra support to prevent your hips and shoulders from sinking too far into the bed. However, with a plush comfort layer, it will still give your sensitive pressure points all the cushioning that they need.

What our testers say: “The softer WinkBed definitely worked for the side sleepers during our testing. But even if you sleep next to someone with a different preferred sleep position, the luxury-firm WinkBed is a versatile enough that will likely work for most sleepers.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the WinkBed

• Hot sleepers – Innerspring coils and gel-infused foam make the WinkBed a great option for a cooling mattress.
• Side sleepers of all sizes – Everyone, not just heavyweight sleepers, should find this mattress supportive enough for their side-sleeping needs.

Who Might Not Like the WinkBed

• Couples – With sub-par motion isolation, it’s possible that you’ll feel your partner moving on the other side of the bed as you try to sleep.
• Memory foam purists – This bed isn’t your typical memory foam bed, with a lot of responsiveness thanks to its coils, so it won’t be “hugging” you the way that memory foam does.

Other User Reviews

On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns a 4.8 out of 5 stars. Most negative reviews focus on problems with delivery and removal. But overall, people seem satisfied and consider the bed supportive and sturdy.

Read our full WinkBed Mattress Review to learn more. Looking for other options besides the WinkBed Original Mattress? Check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses to find a mattress fit for you! 

Best Memory Foam Mattress for Side Sleepers: Nectar

Pros of the Nectar

More cooling features than the average memory foam mattress

Good pressure relief, especially for average-weight back and side sleepers

Top-notch motion isolation

Cons of the Nectar

Good motion isolation means less bounciness

Edge support is lacking

All memory foam isn’t ideal for hot sleepers

Our award of best memory foam mattress for side sleepers goes to the original Nectar mattress. The Nectar is a memory foam mattress with a cover of cooling Tencel, two inches of gel memory foam for a plush feel on top, a transitional layer with quick response time, and a supportive, durable base layer at its foundation. While appropriate for any sleep position, this is an especially great option for average weight (130 to 230 lbs) side sleepers.

The Nectar’s memory foam allows for just the right amount of sinkage, meaning that average weight and some heavier side sleepers should experience the right amount of contouring around their shoulders and hips. This keeps these sensitive pressure points ache-free while also maintaining spinal alignment. However, if you’re a hot sleeper, this will definitely not be the option for you. Memory foam is notorious for trapping body heat, which may lead to a sweaty night’s sleep. Find better options on our best cooling mattresses page.

What our testers say: “In our testing, we noticed that average-weight and some heavyweight side sleepers should sink into the contouring layers designed to keep the spine aligned. Lightweight sleepers, like me, may not sink beyond the top layer and may not feel as much of the Nectar‘s pressure-relieving benefits. Still, very few side sleepers should feel an excess buildup of pressure on the Nectar.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Nectar

• Those who need pressure relief – Side sleepers need pressure relief on their shoulders and hips, which the Nectar provides.
• Couples – With great motion isolation, you won’t feel your partner moving on the other side of the mattress.

Who Might Not Like the Nectar

• Those who need edge support – If you struggle getting out of bed and need a firm edge to sit on, look elsewhere, because the Nectar’s edges aren’t very reinforced.
• Super hot sleepers – Even with it’s cooling features, all-foam mattresses can be quite hot, so if you’re a hot sleeper, seek out a hybrid or innerspring style mattress.

Other User Reviews

With thousands of reviews on Nectar’s website, the Nectar mattress has an average 4.8 out of 5 stars. The majority of negative reviews found the bed too firm, too soft, or thought it started to sink too quickly. But positive reviews praise its comfort and cushioning ability.

Read our full Nectar Mattress Review to learn more. Looking for other options besides the Nectar Mattress? Check out our list of the best memory foam mattresses for more great options.

Best Luxury Mattress for Side Sleepers: DreamCloud Premier

Pros of the DreamCloud Premier

Especially good for average weight side sleepers

A plush, hotel bed-like feel

Breathable construction will help hot sleepers

Cons of the DreamCloud Premier

Good motion isolation means less responsiveness

Lightweight side sleepers may need something softer

The DreamCloud Premier is a luxury hybrid mattress that’ll provide most side sleepers with the pressure relief and spinal alignment they need for a good night’s sleep. On top, you get a luxurious euro pillow top that gives some nice pressure relief for average-weight and heavyweight side sleepers. However, lightweight side sleepers might find the mattress to be a little too firm for comfortability.

During our testing process, we found the DreamCloud Premier evenly distributed pressure thanks to the soft, contouring top layer and supportive coil base layer. The high profile and euro-top cover give the bed a luxurious and elevating hotel bed feel. This makes it worth the money if you aren’t shopping on a strict budget.

We also give the DreamCloud Premier high praise for its exceptional edge support. If you share your bed with a partner and sprawl out against the edge, or have mobility issues and depend on the perimeter to get in and out of bed safely, this option will work great for you!

What our testers say: “The DreamCloud Premier did a good job of distributing pressure evenly in my testing. I attributed this to the high-quality contouring layers on top and the supportive coil layer below. I’m average weight (130 lbs – 230 lbs) and also noticed great spinal alignment while laying on my side.” – Adrianne, Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the DreamCloud Premier

• Luxury shoppers – If you have the budget to splurge on a high-quality, long-lasting mattress, the DreamCloud Premier is a great option!
• Average weight side sleepers – This mattress’ supportive and contouring abilities are perfect for those of average weight, meaning that your shoulders and hips will be cushioned as you sleep on your side.

Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud Premier

• Hot sleepers – Though hybrids tend to be cooler, the DreamCloud Premier doesn’t have any special cooling features, so if you sleep hot, it might be better to look at our best cooling mattresses.
• Couples and light sleepers – With only average responsiveness and motion isolation, couples that toss and turn are likely to feel each other on the other side of the bed.

Other User Reviews

Coming in at 4.5 out of 5 stars on DreamCloud’s site, the DreamCloud Premier receives a majority of positive reviews. Customers praise it for its comfortability while still being firm and ability to relieve pain. Negative reviews focus around people finding the bed either too soft or too firm for their specific needs.

Check out our DreamCloud Premier Mattress Review for more information or check out our list of the best luxury mattresses to find the right fit for you.

Best Mattress for Side Sleeping Couples: Nolah Evolution

Pros of the Nolah

Reasonable price for quality materials

Supportive layers to help keep your spine aligned

You shouldn’t sink in too far and feel “stuck”

Cons of the Nolah

Heavier sleepers may prefer extra support

Expensive

This mattress is a great option for couples who are side sleepers. Our performance tests found that the Nolah provides above-average to excellent support for side sleepers of all sizes. Although it provides good pressure relief, it still has plenty of bounce, which is good for couples who toss and turn – or participate in other nighttime activities.

The same memory foam layers that allow side sleepers to sink into the Nolah just enough also contribute to this bed’s great motion isolation. This means that if you share your bed with a partner or pet their movements will likely disturb you less than bed with worse motion isolation.

What our testers say: “While heavyweight and plus-size sleepers are likely to find it too soft, lightweight and average-weight sleepers who spend the majority of the night on their sides and back should find it comfortable. – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Nolah

• Hot sleepers – Thanks to the cotton cover and breathable AirFoamICE construction, the Nolah is a great option for hot sleepers.
• Those with back pain – This bed provides plenty of support and cushion to keep most sleepers in a healthy spinal alignment. This could help avoid putting extra stress on your joints and worsening back pain.

Who Might Not Like the Nolah

• Heavyweight sleepers – Heavier sleepers may find that this mattress is too soft and end up sinking into it.

Other User Reviews

Earning a 4.9 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website, the Nolah Evolution seems to be a hit. Negative reviews tend to focus on personal preference or regrets about ordering the wrong firmness. Overall, customers are satisfied with the feel and comfort. Many reported their aches and pains disappearing after making the switch to Nolah Evolution.

Read our Nolah Evolution Mattress Review to learn more or visit our best mattresses for couples page for additional options! 

Best Mattress for Heavy Side Sleepers: Titan Plus

Pros of the Titan Plus

Supportive and durable materials for heavier weight sleepers

Cooling gel-infused memory foam

Good responsiveness if you toss and turn

Cons of the Titan Plus

Couples may not love the bouncier nature of this mattress

Not idea for those looking for a more plush feel

Side sleepers should look for a mattress that’s on the softer side. Ideally, this bed should allow the hips and shoulders to sink into the bed, while also keeping the spine aligned. However, the heavier you are, the firmer your mattress should be. That’s because your body will sink more easily into the soft, cushiony layers of your mattress than a lighter sleeper’s would.

The Titan Plus, with “plus” in its name, was made with plus-sized sleepers in mind. But from average to heavyweight side sleepers, Titan Plus has great contouring to help prevent pressure buildup under the hips and shoulders. The three layers of foam, some soft and others dense, combine to comfort and support the heaviest areas of your body that make contact with the mattress surface. Its construction also works well for most back, stomach, and combination sleepers.

What our testers say: “We chose the Titan as our best cooling pick due to its breathable materials, including gel memory foam and a pocketed coil system that felt cool to the touch in our testing. As a hot sleeper, I loved the option of enhancing the cooling features with a cooling top panel to help moderate temperature even more.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Titan Plus

• Back sleepers – The 7 out of 10 firmness creates a slightly firm feel that allows comfort and support for back sleepers of most body types.
• Hot sleepers – With individually wrapped coils and gel-infused memory foam, this is yet another good example of a cooling mattress that still has a comforting foam feel.

Who Might Not Like the Titan Plus

• Lightweight sleepers – Since it’s constructed for heavyweight sleepers, lighter sleepers may find this mattress too firm to sleep on their side.
• Couples – The bounciness that makes it good for combination or restless sleepers means that it might not be the best for motion isolation, and you may feel each other moving on the bed.

Other User Reviews

Users on Titan by Brooklyn Bedding’s site have given the Titan Plus a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers say that overall, the bed’s firmness holds up. A few complained about the lack of edge support and that their sheets sometimes slide off. Many negative reviews suggest not buying the bedframe that comes with, but the mattress itself works great for them.

For more information, check out our Titan Plus Mattress Review. Still not sold on the Titan Plus? Check out our other best mattresses for heavy people!

Best Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers: Leesa Original

Pros of the Leesa Original

Great responsiveness

Budget-friendly

Offers excellent pressure relief

Cons of the Leesa Original

Not supportive enough for sleepers over 230 lbs

Strong off-gassing smell

The Leesa is a dream mattress for anyone who’s tired of waking up every time their partner moves. This bed has good motion isolation, so it helps dampen any disturbances that your partner might create at night from tossing and turning. It’s also super quiet, so that mid-night motion won’t create any squeaky sounds to wake you up.

This all-foam bed provides a balanced feel. You’ll notice the signature “hugged” feeling of a memory foam bed, but it still offers some bounce like what you would get from a latex bed. Its pressure relief gets high scores for light- and average-weight sleepers. While the Leesa is great for side sleepers under 230 lbs, it isn’t supportive enough for sleepers that weigh more than that.

What our testers say: “The foam in the top layer of the Leesa has a lot of bounce to it. It responds quickly to your movements, so you’re able to move around without too much effort. It’s soft to the touch at first, but you don’t sink too much. It was comfortably hugging and contouring.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Who Might Like the Leesa

• Couples who co-sleep: The motion isolation and noise-less construction make the Leesa a top choice for couples.
• Budget-conscious shoppers: Memory foam mattresses tend to be less expensive, and the Leesa delivers for folks looking for an affordable, comfortable bed.

Who Might Not Like the Leesa

• Heavyweight sleepers: While this is a great bed for couples, it’s not your best pick if either partner weighs more than 230 lbs. Instead, opt for a more supportive, durable bed, like the Plank Firm.
• People who sleep hot: The Leesa doesn’t sleep as hot as some other memory foam mattresses, but it’s still not a great choice for sleepers who needs plenty of cooling features. Those folks should check out the Titan Plus.

Other User Reviews

On Leesa’s website, the Original mattress earned a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. Users praise its ability to work for so many sleeping positions and body types. Some reviewers, though, mention they felt the bed was too firm for their preferences.

Read our Leesa review to get more information about this mattress, along with results from our hands-on testing.

Mattress Buying Guide for Side Sleepers

If you’re one of the roughly 65% of Americans who sleep on their side, then you’ll be happy to know that when you sleep on your side, your shoulders, spine, and pelvis remain properly aligned, helping to reduce or prevent pain in these sensitive areas. Another bonus of sleeping on your side is the resulting breath circulation. Side sleepers tend to snore less than back sleepers because their air passages remain more open throughout the night. Want to learn more about what you’re doing right? Check out all of the benefits of side sleeping.

All that said, it’s still important to shop for a mattress that supports your particular method of side sleeping. First, you’ll want to decide on the type of mattress material that best fits your personal preferences. Once you’ve made a decision between memory foam, latex, innerspring, or hybrid, you’ll need to think about mattress firmness.

Best Mattress Materials for Side Sleepers

There’s no single mattress type that suits side sleepers across the board. From innerspring to hybrid, memory foam, and latex, each type has benefits, so long as quality materials are used in the bed’s construction. Whether or not a mattress is ideal for an individual is dependent upon the mattress’ construction and the sleeper’s preferences, size, and build.

Memory Foam Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Memory foam mattresses provide a hugging feel that can lead to greater pressure point relief in sensitive areas for side sleepers. Despite this softness, memory foam mattresses have a dense layer of base foam that provides the necessary durability to keep larger people from sinking too far into the surface. That’s why many of the best mattresses for heavy people often contain dense support foam.

If you’re one of the many people who get uncomfortably warm during the night, know that memory foam tends to trap more heat than an innerspring or hybrid mattress. Take a look at our article on the best memory foam mattresses for more information.

Latex Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Latex is a mattress material that is naturally hypoallergenic, temperature neutral, and very supportive. The durability that latex provides contributes to longer-than-average mattress lifespan, as well as solid structure for heavier side sleepers.

Latex mattresses are often pricier than the alternatives, and they have a bouncy feel that’s not for everyone. If you are concerned with the way in which sourcing materials affects the environment then latex can be a wonderful option. For more information, you can check out our article on the best latex mattresses.

Innerspring Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Most innerspring mattresses are made of a layer of steel coils topped with several layers of poly foam. These layers combine to make a mattress that provides comfort and support. Some side sleepers may find that innerspring beds don’t sufficiently contour to their body’s natural curves. However, many companies, such as Saatva, construct their innerspring mattresses in such a way to mimic the adaptive feel of memory foam. Still torn between the two? Check out our article comparing innerspring and memory foam mattresses.

If you’re a side sleeper who overheats, then innerspring might be the way to go, as they are more breathable than the average foam mattress. For more information on the wonders of innerspring, take a look at our best innerspring mattresses list.

Hybrid Mattresses for Side Sleepers

For those who want the best of both worlds, a hybrid mattress is the way to go. A memory foam layer provides the pressure relief that side sleepers appreciate, and a durable base of coils promotes breathability and edge support. If hybrid sounds like the right choice for you, head over to our best hybrid mattresses article for a more comprehensive look at what makes them great.

Best Firmness for Side Sleepers

Most shoppers think of firmness only in terms of preference, but the firmness of a mattress will impact how it sleeps. On our scale, mattresses are generally rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extremely firm.

Side sleepers need a mattress that’s soft enough to contour to their body’s curves. A lack of contouring means a lack of support, resulting in pressure that can lead to back, neck, and shoulder aches and pains. That said, your body type can also affect which firmness level works best for you. A heavy side sleeper will likely prefer something different than a lighter side sleeper.

Soft Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Anything under a 5 on the firmness scale is considered soft. If you’re petite (less than 130 lbs), a softer mattress may feel supportive enough for you. People with average or larger body types, however, will likely find that their hips and shoulders sink too far into the surface of softer mattresses when they are on their sides. Take a look at our list of the best soft mattresses for further information.

Medium-firm Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Medium-firm beds fall anywhere between a 5 and a 7 on the firmness scale. The average side sleeper usually gravitates towards this Goldilocks firmness: not too firm, not too soft. We have found that a firmness around 5 makes for an ideal sleeping surface for a side sleeper of average weight (between 130 and 230 lbs).

Firm Mattresses for Side Sleepers

A mattress is considered firm when it falls above a 7 on the firmness scale. If you’re on the heavier side or have a large build (over 230 lbs), your shoulders and hips sink further into the mattress the softer it is. As such, you may find that firmer mattresses provide the support that you need. For more information, check out our article, best mattresses for plus-size sleepers.

More Considerations for Side Sleepers

Aside from firmness and mattress material, there are several other factors that side sleepers should take into consideration when shopping for a new mattress.

Pressure Relief

The shoulders and hips are the areas in most need of support for side sleepers, as they press further into the mattress than the rest of your body. There’s a delicate balance that needs to be achieved, where these areas sink into the surface of your bed but not too far in.

If you’re sleeping on your side and have the wrong mattress, one of the first red flags is pain or numbness in these areas upon waking. A mattress that’s healthy for side sleeping contours to the body and provides just enough give to allow these areas to relax throughout the night.

Contour

Contouring ability is one of the more important mattress features for side sleepers. The better a bed is at contouring, the more support your pressure points will receive when you are on your side.

We recommend memory foam mattresses for side sleepers because they’re known for their ease in conforming to the body and the slow return back to the original form once the pressure is released.

Hybrid versions of innerspring mattresses will offer a greater degree of contouring than traditional innerspring styles.

To some, latex mattresses surpass even memory foam in their ability to contour. Natural latex has a less pronounced contour than memory foam. This means that sleepers will feel supported even if they move throughout the night.

Spinal Alignment

When you’re lying on your side, the ideal alignment for the spine is straight. This often surprises people who imagine sinking deeply into a mattress to sleep. Though your spine will bend on occasion, it isn’t healthy for it to remain that way for too long.

It’s crucial to side sleepers’ long-term health to find a mattress that encourages proper spinal alignment. It shouldn’t be excessively firm but should prevent exaggerated bending of the spine.

Neck Pain Relief for Side Sleepers

If you find that you wake up with neck pain after a night of side sleeping, the culprit may not be your mattress. If your pillow is too thick or too thin, it will cause your head to lie at an angle that throws your neck out of alignment with your spine, hence the neck pain.

Since the perfect size pillow will depend on who’s looking, we put together a helpful best pillows for neck pain guide. But for the sake of convenience, we’ll say that an adjustable pillow is always the safest bet.

Back Pain Relief for Side Sleepers

If you do suffer from back pain you should see a doctor if possible, rather than trying to diagnose the problem yourself. There are many reasons why one might be experiencing this, and a professional consultation will help you better identify the root of the problem.

That said, if you or your doctor have come to the conclusion that a new mattress can help, then there are a few things you’ll want to consider, especially as a side sleeper. Back pain can be helped by a medium-firm mattress with a strong support system, but it’s important for side sleepers that the surface be soft enough to relieve pressure in their hips and shoulders; these two factors can easily cancel one another out. For more options and information you should take a look at our article on the best mattresses for back pain.

Temperature Regulation

When you learned that side sleepers may be better served by softer mattresses, you may have then jumped to the conclusion that a memory foam mattress would be your best bet, and for good reason. Memory foam often has an innate softness that lands it on the lower end of the medium-firm range. However, something you should consider before making your decision is that memory foam sometimes makes for a warmer night’s sleep, since heat can become trapped in the thick layers. If this is something you’re concerned about, consider a hybrid mattress, an innerspring mattress with a cooling mattress topper, or a foam mattress that directly addresses this issue with cooling gel layers or copper infusions. Take a look at our list of best cooling mattresses for more information. Or, you can consider more affordable options for staying cool with our lists of the best cooling sheets and best cooling weighted blankets.

Edge Support

Sometimes I’ll wake up to find myself on my side with my arm dangling off the edge of the bed. While I’m not sure why my sleeping self gravitates toward the far reaches of the mattress surface, anecdotally I hear it’s quite common. If you regularly find yourself on the edge of the bed, then you’ll want to make sure that it has great edge support. This quality will help ensure that the bed’s perimeter doesn’t sag under your weight, thereby making you feel more secure as you snooze.

Benefits of Sleeping on Your Side

Side sleeping offers many health benefits when done properly. It’s gentler on the neck than stomach sleeping, which is known to cause snoring, sleep apnea, and back problems and, for many, more comfortable than back sleeping. Check out our article on understanding sleep apnea for more information.

If you think sleeping on the left or right side is little more than the flip of a coin, think again. It’s been proven that sleeping on the left is more beneficial. Sleeping on the right side can aggravate acid reflux and heartburn, both of which left-side sleeping alleviates. Due to the location of the body’s organs, sleeping on the left also boosts digestion, improves circulation, assists brain waste filtering, and stimulates lymphatic drainage. For more information, check out our article on what is the best side to sleep on.

While there are many benefits to sleeping on your side, there are also some notable issues that side sleepers may face. One of the most common problems for side sleepers is shoulder pain. When you are sleeping on your side, your body weight can put a significant amount of pressure on your shoulders, which can result in shoulder pain over time. As a result, we recommend softer mattresses for side sleepers to help with pressure relief. If shoulder pain is something you’re concerned about, take a look at our best mattresses for shoulder pain guides.

Another common problem that side sleepers face is lower back pain and neck pain. This is caused by pelvic rotation, which results from the misalignment of the back muscles and lumbar spine. While this isn’t always remedied completely, there are some preventative measures you can take, such as choosing a mattress that offers proper support and softness or keeping a pillow in between your legs while you sleep. If these preventative measures provide you no relief, consider training yourself to sleep on your back. 

How to Properly Sleep on Your Side

Sleeping improperly on your side can lead to aches and pains, particularly if you don’t have a supportive mattress. Here are some tips for getting the most out of sleeping on your side.

Put a Pillow Between Your Knees: This can help keep your hips and spine in proper alignment, thereby reducing the risk of lower back pain.

Pull Your Knees Up: While on your side, pull your knees up slightly towards your chest. This can help reduce the pressure that is put on your back.

Choose a Softer Mattress: A soft to medium-firm mattress will allow your hips and shoulders to sink in just enough to be both supported and cushioned. 

To learn more, check out our article on how to properly sleep on your side. 

Sleep Accessories for Side Sleepers

Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

If you aren’t quite ready to purchase a new mattress, a mattress topper can go a long way in improving the quality of your current one. While shopping for a topper, you should be mindful of the same things that you would be while shopping for a mattress.

Say, for example, your current mattress causes soreness in your shoulders and hips when you sleep on your side. Well, it’s probably too firm for a side sleeper. A soft memory foam mattress topper can be added to the bed in order to aid in pressure relief. So, you’ll get a better night’s sleep for a lot less than the price of a new mattress.

That is not to say that this is a permanent solution. A new mattress topper is a good stopgap, and a great way to test out mattress materials. But there’s no substitute for a new mattress that is built in a way to accommodate side sleepers. If you’re interested in more information, take a look at our best mattress toppers for side sleepers.

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

When revamping your sleeping situation, you need to consider your accessories as well as your mattress. For side sleepers, one of the most important factors contributing to a good night’s sleep is the pillow. A pillow with too much loft or not enough loft will hold your head in an awkward position and can result in neck pain.

For this reason, we recommend customizable pillows for side sleepers, so you can make adjustments in order to find the perfect level of pillow-thickness for you. For more options check out our full list of best pillows for side sleepers.

Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers FAQs

What is the best mattress for side sleepers?

The best mattress for side sleepers has a soft to medium-firm firmness level, as it allows your hips and shoulders to sink into the surface just enough to keep your pressure points cradled and your spine aligned. Memory foam mattresses are a safe bet, as are hybrids with substantial foam comfort layers.

What is edge support and is it important for side sleepers?

Edge support is a measurement of how well the perimeter of a mattress holds up under the weight of a sleeper. The lower the score, the more a mattress is prone to sag around the edges. If you find yourself waking up on the outskirts of your mattress’ surface, as can happen to many side sleepers, then you should consider edge support when shopping for your new bed.

Are memory foam mattresses good for side sleepers?

Memory foam mattresses can a good fit for side sleepers because it contours to the shape of your body and supports the natural curvature of your spine. Memory foam mattresses are also excellent at equally distributing your body weight when you’re sleeping on your side. When choosing a memory foam mattress for side sleepers, you will want to choose one with a softer firmness level as this will help with pressure relief in your shoulders.

Are innerspring mattresses good for side sleepers?

Innerspring mattresses can be a good fit for side sleepers provided they are soft enough. Innerspring mattresses tend to be on the firmer side, so when looking for an innerspring mattress for side sleepers, look for one that has a thicker comfort layer or a pillow top to help with pressure relief. You might want to consider a hybrid mattress because they incorporate softer foam in the comfort layers while still having a layer of springs for support.

How long does it take to break in a new mattress?

Most companies recommend that you allow at least one month for your new mattress to settle in before making a decision on whether or not you’re like to keep it. It can take a few weeks before a mattress comes into its own, so don’t worry if it feels a little bit stiff immediately out of the box.

Do side sleepers need a firm or soft mattress?

Generally, a soft mattress will provide better cushion for the shoulders and hips of side sleepers than a firm mattress will. That said, if you are a heavier side sleeper (over 230 lbs) than you may need a mattress that’s closer to medium-firm on the firmness scale. Check out our article on soft vs. firm mattresses for more information.

Recap of the Top Rated Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Mattress Model	Award
Helix Midnight	Nerd’s Pick
Saatva Classic	Best Innerspring Mattress for Side Sleepers
Plank Firm	Best Firm Mattress for Side Sleepers
The WinkBed	Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers
Nectar Original	Best Memory Foam Mattress for Side Sleepers
DreamCloud Premier	Best Luxury Mattress for Side Sleepers
Nolah Evolution	Best Mattress for Side Sleeping Couples
Titan Plus	Best Mattress for Heavy Side Sleepers
Leesa Original	Best Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers

Dr. Tom Ingegno is part of our panel of medical expert contributors on the subject of sleep health. They provide important perspectives on the topics we discuss to help make our content as accurate and dependable as possible. They do not personally endorse any products, nor are they associated with any brands featured in our review content.

Loren Bullock

Lead Mattress Tester

About Author

Loren is the Lead Mattress Reviewer at Mattress Nerd. She has prioritized sleeping for as long as she can remember, rarely deviating from seven to nine hours each night. As an editor on Mattress Nerd, Loren aims to help people achieve optimal sleep health and pick the best sleep accessories for their needs. You can find her testing mattresses, exploring the best sleep hacks, and telling you about her findings on Mattress Nerd’s YouTube channel and on TikTok.

Combination Sleeper

Sources

• National Sleep Survey Pulls Back The Covers On How We Doze And Dream. (2012). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-sleep-survey-pulls-back-the-covers-on-how-we-doze-and-dream-184798691.html