Everyone sleeps differently, which means that not all mattresses are suitable for everybody. If you’re a side sleeper, which many people are (at least partly) you need a mattress that is made specifically for your needs, so that you can rest perfectly and avoid any sort of back or neck pain. The best mattress for side sleepers is not very easy to find, mostly because you need to consider multiple factors when shopping for one, including the level of softness, material, and the existence of edge support. As a rule of thumb, if you’re a side sleeper, you need a softer mattress that can offer you a good level of support while also cradling your shoulders and hips.
We put together a comparison table with the best mattresses for side sleepers with the Lucid 14 Inch Plush Gel Memory Foam Mattress as our Editor’s Choice and spent days testing and reviewing these mattresses, looking at features such as size, thickness, level of comfort, and more. All of these features and many more others are essential to consider when shopping for a new mattress, and for this reason, we also read thousands of reviews from people who tested these mattresses as well as from professionals who reviewed the mattresses.
Extra features: 10-year limited warranty; CertiPUR-US certified foam; fiberglass free
Side sleepers need a mattress that lets the shoulders and hips sink in without throwing the spine out of line, and the Lucid 14 Inch Plush Gel Memory Foam Mattress is designed for that. Four inches of layered memory foam give deep pressure relief, while a 3-inch transition layer and a 7-inch high-density base keep you supported.
Cooling gel in the comfort layer draws heat away from your body and bamboo charcoal absorbs moisture, which helps if you tend to sleep warm. The foam is CertiPUR-US certified, the mattress is fiberglass free and works on adjustable bases, and it comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
Extra features: green tea infused memory foam; fiberglass free with a carbon-rayon flame barrier; CertiPUR-US certified foam; OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified cover
The Zinus 12 Inch Green Tea Essential Memory Foam Mattress is topped with green tea memory foam that contours to your body and cushions pressure points at the shoulders, hips and joints, which is exactly where side sleepers feel it most. The medium feel is meant to cushion without sinking and support without feeling firm, so it also suits combination sleepers who change position during the night.
The foam absorbs motion, so a partner turning over is less likely to wake you, and it contains no fiberglass. It works with platform beds, box springs, slatted frames and adjustable bases, and it ships compressed in one box, so allow 24 to 72 hours for it to fully expand.
Extra features: 10-year warranty; CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified; fiberglass-free; built-in side handles
The Avenco 12-Inch Cooling Hybrid Mattress is built for people who sleep on their side and wake up warm. Its top layer of gel-infused memory foam pulls heat away from the body, while a second perforated foam layer and open-cell honeycomb foam below it keep air moving so the surface stays cool through the night.
Underneath, individually wrapped pocketed coils hold the spine in line and absorb movement from a restless partner, while the foam layers cushion the hips and shoulders where side sleepers need it most. The mattress is CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified, made without fiberglass, arrives compressed in a box and expands within 72 hours, and four side handles make it easy to reposition on the frame.
Extra features: CertiPUR-US certified, triple-layered foam composition
A medium feel memory foam mattress with a 10-inch thickness, the Perfect Cloud UltraPlush Gel-Max Memory Foam Mattress consists of a 1.5-inch layer of CertiPUR-US certified Air Infused Memory Foam, a 2-inch layer of gel-max memory foam and a base support foam of 6.5 inches. Because it only has a thickness of 10 inches, the mattress works well with the vast majority of fitted sheets.
One of the things many reviewers raved about when it came to the qualities of this mattress is the excellent sleeping experience you get thanks to the temperature regulation that is made possible by the blend of air infused memory form and high-density gel-max memory foam. Moreover, users noticed the superior workmanship of the mattress that makes it a durable choice. The Perfect Cloud UltraPlush Gel-Max Memory Foam Mattress has an impressive 25-year warranty.
If you are interested in getting a quality mattress that free from PBDE flame retardants, formaldehyde, and phthalates, the Perfect Cloud mattress is all this and more. The mattress is also free of harmful chemicals such as lead and mercury. The manufacturer suggests that the mattress works well for just about any body type, being suitable for persons weighing between 40 and 400 pounds, so a great choice of a mattress for heavy side sleepers.
Extra features: CertiPUR-US certified, Nanobionic technology
Our budget choice is the Signature Sleep Hybrid Coil Mattress, a memory foam and hybrid mattress with variable thicknesses that received much appreciation from users for the level of comfort it provides at a fraction of the price of other similar mattresses. This hybrid coil mattress features independently encased coils that relive pressure points and provide equal weight distribution by following the curves of the body.
The Signature Sleep Hybrid Coil Mattress is low VOC CertiPUR-US certified and it is also free from any type of flame retardants, mercury, formaldehyde and heavy metals. Available in multiple size options including the most popular full, queen and king mattresses, the Signature Sleep mattress is a good choice for all ages and bed types. It is also very easy to unpack and install as it comes in an easy-to-transport box and all you have to do is unpack it and leave it on a flat surface for up to 48 hours before using it.
Many users who tested this mattress mentioned that sleeping on it helped them with their back pain, including severe muscle strain and back pain from herniated discs. Moreover, users raved about the fact that the mattress is easier to move around than a memory foam mattress and that it is just the right thickness to use it without a foundation.
Extra features: zoned lumbar support; 760+ individually wrapped coils; cooling gel memory foam; CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified; fiberglass free; 365-night trial; ships compressed in a box
Side sleepers who wake up with a sore lower back need support that does not give way at the waist, and the zoned ergonomic system in the UniPon 14 Inch Zoned Hybrid Mattress puts reinforced support under the shoulders, lower back, hips and waist to help hold the spine in line. Beneath the cooling gel memory foam sit more than 760 individually wrapped steel coils, so movement from a partner is absorbed rather than passed across the bed, and the edges stay usable right to the sides.
The open pocket spring construction keeps air moving through the mattress, which helps if you tend to run hot on a traditional memory foam bed. The foams are CertiPUR-US certified, the fabric is OEKO-TEX certified, the build is fiberglass free, and it arrives compressed in a box with a 365-night trial and a 10-year warranty behind it.
Extra features: 760+ individually wrapped coils; zoned lumbar and shoulder support; CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified; fiberglass free; 365 night trial
The UniPon 14 Inch Zoned Hybrid Mattress is our pick for the best hybrid mattress for side sleepers. It pairs a layer of cooling gel memory foam with more than 760 individually wrapped steel coils, and the support is zoned so the shoulders, hips and lower back each get the reinforcement they need to keep the spine aligned when you sleep on your side.
The open pocket spring core keeps air moving through the mattress, and the wrapped coils absorb movement at the source, so a partner turning over during the night is far less likely to wake you. It is made with CertiPUR-US certified foam and OEKO-TEX certified fabric, contains no fiberglass, ships compressed in a box, and comes with a 365 night trial and a 10 year warranty.
Extra features: 2-inch soft foam pillowtop; reinforced support under the heaviest part of the body; 10-year warranty
The Sealy Response Premium 16-Inch Plush Euro Pillow Top Mattress, made it to the list because it is the most comfortable choice of all the mattresses we tested, while also being one of the best in terms of quality. This mattress comes in multiple size options to suit all bedrooms and comes with integrated cooling gel and an encased coil system, even though it is not technically marketed as a hybrid mattress.
Some of the stand-out features of this Sealy mattress include the allergy resistant cover, which protects you against allergies year-round and the cooling gel that is the answer to the problems of those who can’t sleep well at night because the bed becomes too warm. Users who tested the mattress raved about the way this mattress is capable to maintain good posture during your resting hours. Because it features the Duraflex Edge System, this mattress remains firm in all the right places, which means that you won’t find yourself falling over or falling out of bed altogether. This mattress features side handles that make it easier to move and flip over. One of the slightly negative points some of the users mentioned about this mattress is the fact that it is very tall and as such you need a solid bed frame to help you feel more secure.
According to many sleep experts, side sleeping is the most popular sleep position and the good news is that is also one of the healthiest for spinal alignment. Side sleeping is a great way to align the shoulders, spine, and pelvis, which contributes to the minimization of pressure points in the lower back, neck, and other areas of the body. Moreover, those who sleep on their side have better airway circulation and possibly even a healthier heart. However, if you want to enjoy all these health benefits of sleeping on your side, it is important to invest in a mattress that will provide you with all the support you need to remain comfortable throughout the night. Our buying guide will help you learn more about the most important considerations for side sleepers so that you can pick the best mattress for side sleepers to suit your sleeping style and budget.
The recommended mattress firmness for those who like to sleep in the fetal position is a medium-soft to medium-firm, mattress because it offers you plenty of give to contour the natural curve of your body and maintain the spine aligned to provide you with a maximum level of comfort. Because side sleepers need to protect their vulnerable pressure points, they need a mattress that is softer and provides you with more cushioning so you can slightly sink into it.
Some of the most important features to consider when shopping for a mattress for side sleepers include the firmness, thickness, comfort level, size, and the existence of extra features such as edge support and temperature control. Let’s dive into these features in more detail.
When you start browsing through various mattresses, you quickly notice is that there are several types available, including memory foam, latex, pocket sprung, open coil, continuous coil, and more.
Even though there are many types of mattresses to choose from, you need to take into account that firmness and thickness are more important for side sleepers then the actual material a mattress is made of.
Memory foam mattresses are often marketed as the best option for size sleepers and they are usually topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive material. Pocket sprung mattresses feature springs sewn into individual fabric pockets and they don’t mold your shape memory foam mattresses do. This doesn’t mean, however, that they don’t provide you with a good level of support. Coil mattresses are cheaper than other models and because they move as one unit, they may disturb your partner if you tend to move a lot throughout the night. Finally, latex mattresses feature a core comprised of multiple layers of springy latex, and even though they are generally more expensive than other types of mattresses, they also can retain their shape better while being more resilient.
The thickness of the mattress is an important feature to consider because it can affect the way the mattress feels. This is especially true in the case of memory foam mattresses. As a rule of thumb, individuals under 150 pounds can sleep well on a 10-inch memory foam mattress, but if you are over that weight or want a mattress that is deeper than a regular one, you can go for a 12-inch one. Generally, you should expect to pay more for a thicker memory foam mattress. A mattress in the 10-12-inch range offers more than enough padding for a truly comfortable night’s sleep.
The comfort level of a mattress is essential for providing the correct spinal alignment for different types of sleepers. The main comfort levels you can find in mattresses today are sot, medium and firm, with many models having a combination of the two, such as medium-firm. Side sleepers would generally benefit from a medium or medium-firm comfort level, because this allows them to sink comfortably into the mattress and provides them with proper spinal alignment.
When shopping for a mattress for side sleepers, make sure the model you want comes in the size of your bed frame. Many of the best mattresses for side sleepers we reviewed are available in multiple sizes, ranging from single to king size. Some mattresses, such as the Perfect Cloud UltraPlush 10 Inch King Memory Foam Mattress, are sold in king size for larger bed frames.
The term “edge support” refers to the encasement around the frame that supports the springs in the case of spring mattresses. You won’t find this feature on latex or memory foam mattresses. Edge support is important because it prevents the mattress from sagging around the perimeter. Moreover, edge support can provide more stability and support when you sit on the mattress, particularly on the edge.
A common feature seen in the mattress world today, CertiPUR-US certification is a third-party certification that means a certain mattress meets certain criteria.
These include the absence of flame retardants, mercury, lead or other heavy metals. It also ensures as that the mattress is made without formaldehyde and has low VOC emissions for indoor air quality.
Many of the mattresses we reviewed come with a 10-year limited warranty, and the Avenco 12-Inch Cooling Hybrid Mattress is one example, backing its construction with a 10-year quality warranty. The warranty is limited as it only covers faults that result from the actual construction of the mattress, and not wear and tear or misuse.
According to sleep specialists, the best side to sleep on is indeed on the side, and it is estimated that more than 70 percent of Americans prefer to sleep in this position. Side sleeping is not only beneficial for the spine but can also help to alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring. It is also the best position for pregnant women. On the not so bright side, it is also believed that those who sleep on the side may get more facial wrinkles.
However, just like with any other sleep position, it is important to “know” how to sleep on the side if you are indeed to get the best night’s rest from sleeping on the side. For best results, you need a mattress that supports your waist and neck, because a supportive mattress can keep your spine aligned and have a big impact on the quality of your sleep. You should try to find a mattress that is gentle with your pressure points, and don’t forget about getting a pillow that is suitable for your preferred sleeping position as well.
The quality of your mattress is a determining factor in the quality of your sleep, so it’s essential to find a mattress that allows you to sleep on your side comfortably while also meeting all your requirements when it comes to materials, temperature regulation, and anti-allergy features. Our editor’s choice, the Lucid 14 Inch Plush Gel Memory Foam Mattress is a medium plush, four-layer memory foam mattress built for pressure relief on the shoulders and hips. The Best Mattress for Side and Stomach Sleepers is the Zinus 12 Inch Green Tea Essential Memory Foam Mattress which is topped with green tea memory foam and has a medium feel that cushions the shoulders and hips, a choice that side sleepers and those who change position at night will appreciate. And finally, the Avenco 12-Inch Cooling Hybrid Mattress is a hybrid 12-inch mattress that pairs dual-layer gel memory foam with pocketed coils for a cool, medium-soft feel.
We hope we’ve helped you decide on the best mattress for side sleepers – sweet dreams!
