Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

For many folks, there’s no cozier sleeping position than one in which they’re curled up on their side with a cuddly blanket or pillow. An ideal mattress would greet their bodies with a mixture of pressure relief and support, ensuring a comfortable drift to dreamland free of any tension or pain.

Unfortunately, many mattresses aren’t actually built to meet the side sleeper’s specific needs. They’re either too firm (thereby inducing pressure at the shoulders and hips) or too soft (resulting in an overall lack of support). So what are these Goldilock snoozers supposed to do?

Thankfully, it’s not all bad news for those who doze primarily on their sides as there are a TON of fantastic mattresses out there designed specifically for their slumber preferences. Below, we’ll highlight some of our favorites and dive into all the factors that contribute to a sound side sleeping experience.

What Is the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers?

The best mattress for a side sleeper is one that aligns the spine and relieves pressure points at the hips and shoulders. Here are some recommendations to help get you started.

Eight Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Best for Shoulder or Hip Pain
Layla Mattress	Layla Mattress The Layla mattress is made with high quality memory foam, perfect for relieving pressure on the shoulder and hip when side sleeping. The Layla mattress also has two firmness options (it's flippable), so you can try out both sides at home to see which one works best with your personal sleep preferences.	Check Price Check Price
Best for Lower Back Pain
Saatva Mattress	Saatva Mattress The Saatva mattress combines a luxurious pillow-top with two sections of coils for a classic innerspring feel. This high quality mattress is great for aligning the spine no matter your sleeping position - which can be a game changer to address aches and pains in your body.	Check Price
Best Luxury
Casper Wave Mattress	Casper Wave Mattress Casper's most luxurious mattress, the Wave mattress has zoned support. This means that the mattress has different firmnesses at different points in the mattress (softer near the head and shoulders) so that it will conform to your curves better than any mattress on the market.	Check Price
Best for Back and Side Sleepers
WinkBeds Mattress	WinkBeds Mattress Some people may sleep in other positions in addition to sleeping on their side - and Winkbeds does great in addressing those issues. While being great for side sleepers, the Winkbed offers great support and comfort for back sleepers as well.	Check Price Check Price
Best for Hot Sleepers
Helix Mattress	Helix Mattress You can actually customize the Helix to your preference, so a side sleeper and want to sleep cool? Helix will whip up the perfect mattress to address your needs!	Check Price Check Price
Best Hybrid
Nest Bedding Alexander Hybrid Mattress	Nest Bedding Alexander Hybrid Mattress The combination of plush foam and a pressure-relieving coil system makes the Next Alexander Hybrid mattress particularly great for side sleepers! Overall this mattress is a Sleepopolis favorite, and we recommend a softer model for side sleepers.	Check Price Check Price
Best for Pressure Relief
Purple Mattress	Purple Mattress Designed with contouring hyper-elastic polymer, the Purple mattress is great for those in need of pressure relief. This material is unlike anything else on the market, definitely worth a look for side sleepers!	Check Price
Best Memory Foam
Amerisleep AS4 Mattress	Amerisleep AS4 Mattress Amerisleep generally has a wonderful line of luxury memory foam mattresses, with a few of them best suited for side sleepers. On the softer side, the Amerisleep AS4 is a great pick for those in need of a little extra cushion and pressure relief.	Check Price Check Price

What Makes These the Top Mattress Picks For Side Sleepers?

While each choice is based on my personal preferences and biases, I’ve endeavored to select mattresses that support different kinds of side sleepers, from those who sleep hot to those who need a little extra pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. As I discuss each of my picks, I’ll make sure to explain why I selected them for this list and will share my expert tips for getting amazing sleep on your side. At the end of this article, we’ll also dive deeper into the methodology behind this list.

But enough chat! Let’s get into these mattresses.

Best Mattress for Shoulder/Hip Pain

Layla

The Layla mattress is an all-foam, flippable bed designed to give customers more options for how they sleep. I’ve included it on this list because the double-sided construction (labelled “Soft” or “Firm” depending on how you orient it) allows the sleeper to really hone in on the firmness level that’s going to be right for their needs.

Two options might seem a bit daunting from the onset, but getting to oscillate between these totally different feels can be a boon for side sleepers unsure of how supportive or plush they’d like their mattress (though I should note that both sides do feature memory foam). For reference, I gave the “Soft” side a 5.5/10 rating on the firmness scale while the “Firm” side received a score of 7.5/10. To see if this mattress is right for you, check out my full review of the Layla.

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Layla Mattress

Layla Mattress

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Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain

Saatva

The Saatva mattress evokes the feel of a classic innerspring with its coil-on-coil construction, meaning it’s super bouncy and highly supportive. While a bed this firm (about a 7.5/10) wouldn’t normally work for side sleepers, a plush pillow top makes for a cushiony surface upon which to land.

I especially like this bed for side sleepers because it does a great job of aligning the spine, thereby alleviating tension at the lower back. I’d also note that the buoyant lift of the mattress ensures you won’t feel too stuck in the bed, which could be a big plus for those who want to be positioned squarely on top of the mattress. For more, read my full Saatva review.

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Saatva Mattress

Saatva Mattress

The Saatva mattress combines a luxurious pillow-top layer with two sections of coils for that classic innerspring feel. Earn a $75 Visa gift card with you purchase of a Saatva mattress!

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Best Luxury Feel Mattress

Casper Wave

For something a bit more luxurious, consider the Wave mattress from Casper. Built with premium foams and a special layer of Zoned Support, this bed is ideal for side sleepers looking for a more plush sleeping experience that targets each part of the body in a unique way.

Specifically, the section of Zoned Support is actually constructed with three different types of foam, which together bring gentle pressure relief to the shoulders, firm support to the lumbar region, and a pleasant lift to the hips. Curious to learn more about this innovative design? Take a peek at my full Casper Wave review.

Casper Wave Mattress

Casper Wave Mattress

Casper's most luxurious mattress, the Wave is built with pressure relief in mind. Use code SLEEPOPOLIS to get $150 off your Wave purchase! 

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Best Mattress for Back/Side Combo Sleepers

WinkBed

Like the Saatva, WinkBeds is an innerspring mattress that puts an emphasis on buoyant, firm support. Here, a tufted cover gives way to a thin layer of microcoils that help bolster the sleeper from the minute they jump on the bed.

The coil-on-coil construction also makes this an incredibly mobile structure, so changing positions in the night should be a breeze. This could be especially important for side sleepers who like to shift from their side to their back while the slumber. To get the full low-down on the WinkBeds mattress, hop on over to my full review.

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WinkBeds Mattress

WinkBeds Mattress

Built with a plush pillow top and a buoyant coil-on-coil structure, the WinkBeds is a great option for a wide range of sleepers! Enjoy $200 off your order with the code SLEEPOPOLIS200!

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Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Helix

Helix offers a number of different mattresses designed to meet a diverse range of sleeper needs. The softest beds in the collection are particularly well-suited for side sleepers, who will likely benefit from their thick layers of pressure-relieving foam.

Additionally, all Helix mattresses sleep extremely cool, thanks to the UltraCool cover (available for an extra $60 fee), gel-infused memory foams, and pocketed coils utilized in each bed. This combination of materials helps to regulate temperatures throughout the night, making sure that even the sweatiest sleepers can snuggle down into a breezy dreamland. Is your interest piqued? Then take a peek at my full review of the Helix line.

Save $125!

Helix Mattress

Helix Mattress

Whether you choose the standard or luxe edition, Helix mattresses have something to offer every style of sleeper! Enjoy $75 off the standard Helix mattress and $125 off the Helix Luxe mattress by using our exclusive discount codes!

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Best Hybrid Mattress

Nest Alexander Hybrid

For those in search of a great hybrid mattress for side sleeping, look no further than the Alexander Hybrid from Nest Bedding. Here, a tri-combo of diverse foams overlays a tall section of pocketed coils, creating a sweet balance between pressure relief and support.

While beds featuring coils tend to fall on the firmer side of things, my testers and I actually gave this hybrid an average rating of 5.6, which put it well below the industry standard of 6.5 for medium firmness. What this tells me is that side sleepers should have no issue sinking into the soft structure for some satisfying comfort at the shoulders and hips. To learn more, read my full review.

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Nest Bedding Alexander Hybrid Mattress

Nest Bedding Alexander Hybrid Mattress

The combination of plush foam and a pressure-relieving coil system makes this mattress particularly great for side sleepers! Save 8% on your Nest purchase with the code SLEEPOP8!

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Best Mattress for Pressure Relief

Purple

With its unique hyper-elastic polymer comfort grid, the Purple mattress has some of the best pressure relief I’ve seen, especially for those who like to doze on their sides. Though you may have thought the brand’s “raw egg test” was just a marketing ploy, it actually does a great job of demonstrating the body-contouring comfort you’re likely to experience from the bed.

Plus, the mattress is also supportive and excellent at regulating temperatures, so should satisfy a wide range of sleepers (even if the gel-like grid takes some getting used to). Learn more about its unique construction in my full Purple mattress review.

Purple Mattress

Purple Mattress

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Best Memory Foam Mattress

Amerisleep AS4

There is perhaps no material more closely identified with side sleepers than memory foam, a classic mattress material that hugs the body and contours to sensitive spots (i.e. shoulders and hips) for pressure relief. And as far as memory foam mattresses are concerned, there’s perhaps no better option out there than Amerisleep.

The brand currently boasts five different memory foam beds in its collection, ranging from the AS1 (ultra firm) to the AS5 (ultra soft). While the firmness levels change in a gradient from the 1 to the 5, I think they’re all pretty solid options for side sleepers. To learn more, check out my full breakdown of the Amerisleep mattresses.

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Amerisleep AS4 Mattress

Amerisleep AS4 Mattress

On the softer side, the AS4 could be a great pick for side sleepers! Get $250 off your AS4 purchase with our exclusive discount!

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The Ins & Outs of Side-Sleeping

After reading through our picks, you might be wondering: How in the world did Sleepopolis land on these mattresses as the best of the best for side sleepers? It’s a great question and one I’m happy to answer!

When thinking about what sorts of beds are going to be best for those who doze in good ol’ fashioned lateral recumbence (fancy talk for side sleeping), there are a few things to keep in mind, namely 1.) Firmness, 2). Support, and 3). Pelvic Rotation.

In case you’re unfamiliar with any of the above, I’m going to go point by point and break down exactly what I mean.

Best Mattress Firmness for Side Sleepers

In terms of firmness, side sleepers will want to look for something soft to moderate on the firmness scale. While many folks assume firmer mattresses are the most supportive (including physical therapist Dr. Keith Poorbaugh, a member of our Sleepopolis Expert Network), a special exception needs to be made for those who spend most of their slumber time on their sides. Per Poorbaugh:

“A firm mattress gives better support for pushing yourself up to a seated position. However, if you need pressure relief [as most side sleepers do], a plush mattress will have more cushion for those sensitive areas.”

So what exactly constitutes a plush mattress? In my opinion, a plush mattress:

• Comes in at a 4.5-6 out of 10 on the firmness scale (with 6.5 being medium firm).
• Provides ample pressure relief and support to the neck, hips, and shoulders.
• Allows for deep sinkage to buffer against the formation of pressure points along the spine.

Firmness is perhaps the most important attribute for side sleepers due to the very nature of the position. (1) In order to provide proper support, the mattress must be able to contour to the curves of the body so the sleeper’s not “digging” into the structure.

Support

While support is an important factor for all sleepers to consider, it’s perhaps especially so for side sleepers, who tend toward nighttime contortions that aren’t necessarily conducive to healthy spine alignment (think fetal position). A mattress with fantastic support will adapt to the body no matter the shape, bringing the “musculoskeletal chain,” as Dr. Poorbaugh describes it, into a comfortable synergy.

It’s important to note that support is not the same thing as firmness: A softer mattress can still provide great support. When looking for a new mattress that will meet your side sleeper needs, you’ll want to:

• Look for one that contours to your body’s unique shape.
• Supports your hips and shoulders as you move and change positions.
• Alleviate tension across all parts of the body without leaving you feeling “swallowed” by the structure.

Foam mattresses offer many advantages for side sleepers, but well-built and well-designed innerspring mattresses can be effective also, as you can see in my picks above.

Pelvic Rotation

And finally, let’s chat a bit about pelvic rotation, which results from the misalignment of the back muscles and lumbar spine. It is caused when sleepers twist or curl their legs up in opposition to the position of the upper body. (2) Take, for example, an individual who sleeps with one leg fairly straight and the other bent, which tends to rotate their upper body into a stomach-sleeping position while the lower body remains on the side. This type of rotation can lead to or worsen any lower back and neck pain, so it’s important to take preventative measures before it starts hurting.

There aren’t any perfect solutions to preventing pelvic rotation, but there are a few things you can do to help:

• Try to train yourself to sleep in positions that keep your spine in alignment.
• Use a pillow between your legs to maintain spinal alignment (see below).
• Buy a good mattress with proper support and softness. That will help to prevent pressure points that might be currently causing you to sleep in positions that cause more pelvic rotation.

Side Sleeper Pillow Needs

Good pillows are just as important as a good mattress. You may have an exceptionally well-made and comfortable mattress, but without a good pillow, you may still find that your sleeping experience is less than ideal.

A quality pillow is critically important for side sleepers due to the increased — and somewhat more complex — support needs. (3) Pillows made from latex, shredded foam, memory foam, or other poly foams can help provide consistent and stable support by responding to the varying pressures of your head and neck. Additionally, you’ll want to look for a pillow that is tall enough to cradle your head and neck but not so tall that you introduce a new form of pressure.

“Improved [spinal] alignment… can be easily achieved in side lying with proper pillow positioning,” explains Dr. Poorbaugh. “Pillow placement at the head and neck can reduce an irritating kink in the neck, while a pillow between the knees should help keep lumbar spine in neutral alignment.”

For more, check out our breakdown of the absolute best pillows for side sleepers.

References

1. Leilnahari, Karim, et al. “Spine Alignment in Men during Lateral Sleep Position: Experimental Study and Modeling.” BioMedical Engineering OnLine, vol. 10, no. 1, 30 Nov. 2011, p. 103., doi:10.1186/1475-925x-10-103.
2. Herrington, Lee. “Assessment of the Degree of Pelvic Tilt within a Normal Asymptomatic Population.” Manual Therapy, vol. 16, no. 6, 11 June 2011, pp. 646–648., doi:10.1016/j.math.2011.04.006.
3. Gordon, Susan, et al. “A Randomized, Comparative Trial: Does Pillow Type Alter Cervico-Thoracic Spinal Posture When Side Lying?” Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 17 Aug. 2011, p. 321., doi:10.2147/jmdh.s23028.

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Logan Block

Logan is the content director of Sleepopolis, which means he not only reviews new mattresses every week, but also curates all the comparisons, best of pages, and video guides on the site. He takes a straightforward, honest approach to his reviews and endeavors to give viewers an objective look at each new product he tries out. Logan’s perfected his method over the course of personally testing over 100 different mattresses, so he’s not only able to discern the overall vibe of a specific bed, but to contextualize its feel within the bed-in-a-box market as a whole. Needless to say, his sleep knowledge runs deep, and he loves nothing more than sharing that knowledge with his readers. When he’s not hopping on a new bed or working with our editorial team to whip up an engaging sleep education guide, you can find him reading books on world history, walking his dog Pepper, or searching for the best cheeseburger in New York City.

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