Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

While opinions on the best sleeping position may differ, research indicates that side sleeping is the most popular choice, with over half of adults preferring this position. However, if you're a side sleeper, you may already know that it can put significant pressure on your shoulders and hips. This can be uncomfortable, especially if your mattress doesn't provide adequate support for these areas.

For this article, we used our extensive data and expertise to pinpoint the best mattresses for side sleepers. We also consulted with top experts in sleep medicine and physical therapy to identify the ultimate mattress for side-sleeping comfort.

The mattresses listed below combine cushioning and body contouring to relieve pressure, along with supportive bases that maintain a neutral spine position. This balance of softness and support is essential for ensuring a comfortable side-sleeping experience.

The Helix Midnight is our top pick for side sleepers, thanks to its balanced medium-firm feel, strong support, and impressive performance in pressure relief tests. I appreciated how this mattress provided cushioning for my hips and shoulders, while its durable steel coils kept my spine aligned in a comfortable, neutral position.

• Helix Mattress – Best Overall Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Nectar Mattress – Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Side Sleepers
• WinkBed Mattress – Best for Side-Sleeping Couples
• Leesa mattress – Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Birch Mattress – Best Organic Mattress
• Saatva Mattress – Best Innerspring Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Nolah Mattress – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers 
• Bear Mattress – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers and Muscle Recovery
• Brooklyn Bedding Mattress – Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Titan Mattress – Best Mattress for Heavy Side Sleepers

Given the number and quality of mattresses the Mattress team has tested, selecting the top 10 best mattresses for side sleeping wasn’t easy. While I’m confident in our final choices, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention three mattresses that just missed making the cut.

• DreamCloud Mattress – This mattress offers a luxurious feel, providing excellent pressure relief for the hips and shoulders. It just missed out due to its higher price point, as I felt there were enough high-budget mattresses already included on the list.
• TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress – I was impressed by how well this Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress absorbed motion, making it great for side-sleeping couples. However, its multiple foam layers limit breathability and airflow, potentially leading to a hotter-than-average sleep experience.
• Sealy Mattress – This mattress excels at keeping sleepers cool, isolating motion, and relieving pressure on the shoulders and hips. However, it didn’t make the list because lightweight side sleepers may not experience enough compression from its firmer-than-average foam top layer. Additionally, its 10-year warranty, while standard, felt a bit short for a queen-sized mattress priced over $1,000.

Sleeping on a high-quality mattress that provides both support and cushioning comfort can significantly improve your sleep quality and overall well-being. For this reason, we’ve created a comprehensive guide on what to consider when shopping for the best mattress for side sleeping.

A bed’s firmness level plays a crucial role in determining how comfortable it is for side sleepers. Beds that are too soft for your weight or sleeping position may not provide enough elevation, which can lead to your spine being at an uncomfortable angle and result in back pain. On the other hand, a bed that is too firm may not contour enough, causing pressure to build up on your hips and shoulders over time. That said, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all firmness level for side sleepers—much of it depends on your body size and personal preferences.

Check out our chart for a full breakdown of body types and their optimal firmness levels:

Sleeping on your side creates a lot of pressure on your hips and shoulders, which can lead to tension throughout the spine. To sleep comfortably, you'll need a mattress soft enough to contour to your body and relieve pressure. Mattresses that excel at pressure relief typically use materials like slow-moving, cushioning memory foam, which absorbs pressure on the smaller areas of the body. This helps sleepers feel comforted rather than strained.

To assess the pressure relief of each mattress, our testers lie on each one in both back- and side-sleeping positions. While resting in these positions, they report any pressure or tension they feel in key areas.

Next, we use a pressure map (a mat that records the amount of pressure in PSI applied to the hips, shoulders, and lower back). Typically, lower-than-average PSI readings (14.94 for side sleepers and 12.4 for back sleepers) indicate effective pressure relief for those positions.

Side sleepers need pressure relief at the shoulders and hips, so they usually prefer a softer mattress that contours to their body and helps reduce pressure on their joints during the night. They should look for a mattress with excellent pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses, known for their deep body-contouring, sinkage, and pressure relief, are often a great choice. Many soft hybrid mattresses also work well for side sleepers.

Side sleepers often prefer softer mattresses because the plushness and cushioning provide comfort around the shoulders and hips. However, solid support is also crucial as it helps keep the body elevated and aligned. A mattress lacking proper support can cause you to sleep at awkward angles, leading to pressure buildup. Consistently sleeping without adequate support can result in aches and pains.

While pressure relief, support, and firmness are the most important factors to consider, other mattress features can also enhance comfort for side sleepers.

Side sleepers are more likely to slip off the edge of the bed since they sleep on a smaller portion of the mattress. Beds with strong edge support offer a sense of security and help prevent you from being jolted awake by the feeling of potentially falling off.

Back and stomach sleepers distribute their weight more evenly across the bed, making them less likely to be disturbed by a restless partner’s movements compared to side sleepers. If your partner’s tossing and turning affects your sleep, look for a mattress that absorbs motion and minimizes its transfer across the bed.

If you've ever woken up in a hot sweat, you know how uncomfortable a stuffy bed can be. While memory foam mattresses are great for side sleepers, some people avoid them because they tend to trap heat. Fortunately, many newer models incorporate cooling gels and other temperature-regulating technologies to help keep you cool and comfortable all night long.

What type of mattress is best for side sleepers?

Memory foam mattresses are excellent for side sleepers due to their slow-moving, contouring feel, which allows sleepers to sink into the layers and experience the pressure relief they need. Hybrid or innerspring mattresses with a soft pillow top, such as the Saatva Classic, also work well by offering both comfort and support.

What mattress firmness is best for side sleepers?

While firmness is subjective, side sleepers tend to prefer plusher beds. Soft to medium-firm mattresses are generally a better fit than firmer ones. However, it’s important not to go too soft—side sleepers need a mattress that provides enough support to keep the spine aligned and avoid back pain.

What is the best mattress topper for side sleepers?

If a side sleeper’s mattress is too firm, causing pressure buildup, a mattress topper can be an affordable way to soften the feel of the bed. A thick foam topper adds plush contouring to the surface. The Saatva mattress topper is a great choice for side sleepers, and you can explore more options in the best toppers for side sleepers roundup.

Are adjustable beds good for side sleepers?

Yes, adjustable beds can be a great option for side sleepers. The all-foam Nectar mattress is particularly notable, as its slow-moving foam contours around a side sleeper’s shoulders and hips. The bed’s flexibility makes it easy to adjust to the right angles for optimal sleep quality.

• Skarpsno, E. S., Mork, P. J., Nilsen, T. I. L., & Holtermann, A. (2017). Sleep positions and nocturnal body movements based on free-living accelerometer recordings: association with demographics, lifestyle, and insomnia symptoms. Nature and Science of Sleep, Volume 9, 267–275.
• ‌Caggiari, G., Talesa, G. R., Toro, G., Jannelli, E., Monteleone, G., & Puddu, L. (2021). What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 22(1).