Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

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1.) Helix Midnight Luxe - Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers

For side sleepers, hybrid mattresses often provide the greatest balance of comfort and support. Just consider the Helix Midnight Luxe, made with springy innerspring coils plus a welcoming layer of foam. It’s a great balance, ensuring side sleepers have a little bit of give in their mattress but don’t feel like they’re sinking into it.

The Helix Midnight Luxe excels in other ways, too: It’s one of the top options for hot sleepers and offers targeted pressure point relief. Thanks to excellent motion isolation abilities, it’s a smart choice for couples.

2.) Saatva - Best Luxury Mattress for Side Sleepers

The Saatva Classic mattress is the top choice for side sleepers who like luxury and customizable mattresses. The Saatva provides ample lower back and edge support, making it ideal for side sleeping. Although this mattress is offered at three firmness levels, side sleepers should choose the luxury-firm level. This firmness level will ensure you’re getting adequate support while the mattress equally distributes your body weight–yet it's still soft enough to contour and cradle pressure points.

This mattress also has all the bonuses expected from a luxury brand. The Saatva is handmade in the U.S.A, using organic and luxury components. As part of your new mattress purchase, they’ll handle delivery, setup, and taking away your old bed for you.

3.) Nectar - Best Value Mattress

This affordable bed-in-a-box has outstanding features for side sleepers at a great price point. In addition to being budget-friendly, the Nectar has a one-year sleep trial, so you can sleep on the mattress to make sure it’s the one for you. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, making this mattress a smart financial investment.

The Nectar’s medium-firm firmness level provides the right level of support that side sleepers need. Two layers of high-density foam keep the mattress supported and stable. A gel memory foam top layer helps with pressure relief, spine alignment, and cooling.

4.) Brooklyn Aurora - Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers

The Brooklyn Aurora is a hybrid mattress that combines the supportive features of coils with four layers of contouring foam to meet all the needs of a side sleeper. When tested, the mattress’s multiple layers of memory foam were excellent at equally distributing body weight to support pressure points, and therefore helping to reduce the risk of hip or shoulder pain from occurring.

The Aurora also has outstanding features for hot sleepers. The top layer of the Aurora is made of patented copper-infused foam, which provides focused pressure point relief with the antimicrobial properties of copper. This foam is also infused with gel beads to cool off the top of the mattress, helping to maintain your body temperature and stop overheating.

5.) Leesa Hybrid - Best for Couples

The Leesa Hybrid uses foam and coils to deliver a near-flawless sleep experience for couples. In testing this hybrid got top scores across all 14 categories, particularly excelling in pressure relief and responsiveness. Responsiveness alludes to a mattress bouncing back to support you as you move. Since side sleepers shift positions while sleeping more frequently than back or side sleepers, a responsive mattress can be a valuable key to a great night’s sleep.

The Leesa Hybrid is also great at motion isolation, meaning that this mattress can minimize the motion you feel when your sleep partner moves at night. The responsiveness and motion isolation features of this mattress make it the top choice for couples, especially those who have different sleeping positions or tend to shift around while they sleep.

6.) Bear Hybrid - Best for Back Pain

Back pain is a factor that side sleepers have to take into account while choosing a mattress––without proper support from your bed, your spine can easily sink out of alignment while side sleeping. The Bear Hybrid mattress puts this to rest by putting together gel memory foam with supportive coils. Together these materials are responsive to any movement atop the mattress while keeping the spine in alignment. 

The materials in this hybrid also help with cooling, like the cooling cover and mineral-infused gel memory foam. The role of the gel memory foam is to draw heat away from the body and to keep the bed from retaining heat.

7.) Layla - Best Flippable Mattress

Can’t decide which firmness level is right for you? A flippable mattress like the Layla allows you to try a couple of options, easily switching between them as you determine the right firmness setting for your body type and sleeping position. There are a number of two-sided designs on the market today, but the Layla is the top mattress in this category. For side sleepers that need proper spine support and pressure relief, both sides of the Layla mattress proved capable in supplying both factors.

Here, you’ll get a medium-soft mattress and a medium-firm mattress in the same package. No matter which side you sleep on, you’ll find supple, comfortable memory foam. As if that’s not enough, the Layla is backed with a lifetime warranty.

8.) Casper Original - Best Memory Foam Mattress

For many side sleepers, memory foam is an optimal mattress material. It provides enough give for their hips and shoulders to sink into the mattress, while still offering sufficient support overall. The Casper mattress brand has long been one of the leading names in memory foam, and their flagship mattress remains an outstanding pick for side sleepers.

A few reasons to love the Casper: Four layers give that familiar, contouring feel of memory foam. Targeted pressure point relief helps keep the weight off sensitive areas. The Casper mattress works well for side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers alike. Also, because memory foam is typically so great for motion isolation, it also works well for couples.

9.) Loom & Leaf - Best for Heavier Side Sleepers

Heavyweight side sleepers have to find a mattress that not only ensures spine alignment and pressure relief, but one that is able to give great support. Loom & Leaf is a top choice, with the capacity to comfortably support up to 600 pounds. It's by no means a rigid, tough feeling mattress––it uses layers of memory foam to keep the spine uplifted and stay responsive to motion. A naturally breathable cotton cover envelops the mattress, along with gel infused into the top layer to keep sleepers cool.

Since the Loom & Leaf is produced by Saatva, it comes with all the benefits the brand is known for: Free delivery and set-up, along with a 180 night sleep trial.

Compare the Best Mattresses for Seniors

Mattress Name	Quick Overview	Special Offer
Helix Midnight Luxe	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 6-10 business days Trial Period: 100 nights Warranty: 15-year limited Price: $$$	Save $350 off and get 2 free pillows with purchase Check Price
Saatva	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Available in Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: 15 days, free delivery and set-up Trial Period: 180 nights Warranty: 15-year limited warranty Price: $$	Check Price
Nectar	Material: Gel memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: 2-5 business days Trial Period: 365 nights Lifetime warranty Price: $	Save 33% off Check Price
Brooklyn Aurora	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Available in Soft, Medium, and Firm Customer Rating: 4.7/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 3-4 business days Trial Period: 120 nights Warranty: 10-year Price: $$	Save 25% off with code WINTER25 Check Price
Leesa Hybrid	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 9.4/10 Delivery: 14 business days Trial Period: 100 nights Warranty: 10-year Price: $	Save up to $700 off and get free Luxe Organic Cotton Sheet Set Check Price
Bear Hybrid	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.7/5 MA Score: 9/10 Delivery: 7-10 business days Trial Period: 100 nights Warranty: 20 years Price: $	Save 35% off and get free pillows with purchase Check Price
Layla	Material: Copper-infused memory foam Firmness: Medium-soft and medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.8/10 Delivery: 3-7 business days Trial Period: 120 nights Lifetime warranty Price: $	Save up to $200 off and $1,100 off bundles Check Price
Casper	Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 9.1/10 Delivery: 2-7 business days Trial Period: 100 nights Warranty: 10 years Price: $	Check Price
Loom & Leaf	Material: Memory foam Firmness: Relaxed-firm or Firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.2/10 Delivery: 15 business days Trial Period: 180 nights Warranty: 15-year limited Price: $	Save up to $500 off Check Price

MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience and the brand’s social responsibility.

Compare Features and Materials

Helix Midnight Luxe	Saatva
What’s inside: Cooling pillow top: Cover is made to absorb and deflect body heat Gel memory comfort layer: Offers cooling and optimal pressure relief Support memory foam: Denser foam is cushioning and supportive Transition foam: Polyfoam layer provides a smooth transition into the innerspring layer Coil layer: Individual coils provide support for different areas of the body Foam base layer: Bottom layer keeps the mattress stable and sturdy	What’s inside: Euro pillow-top: Adds an extra comfort layer Memory foam: Relieves pressure and distributes weight evenly Dual coil support system: Provides durable foundation and support Foam outer edge: Provides strong edge support and durability
Scored best in: Cooling Spine alignment Responsiveness	Scored best in: Durability Spine alignment Customer service

Nectar	Brooklyn Aurora
What’s inside: Cooling cover: A soft cover that allows for proper airflow Gel memory foam: Relieves pressure and provides even weight distribution Responsive memory foam: Adds an extra layer of support Base layer: Provides a durable foundation	What’s inside: Copper gel foam: Relieves pressure while drawing heat from the body Reactive foam: Responds to your movements Memory foam: Contours to your body, relieving pressure Coils: Aid in motion isolation Base support foam: Increases durability and support
Scored best in: Pressure relief Responsiveness Support	Scored best in: Spine alignment Responsiveness Cooling

Leesa Hybrid	Bear Hybrid
What’s inside: Cooling foam top layer: Permeable foam layer quickly responds to movements Memory foam layer: Soft and pressure-relieving Foam support: Adds support without being too firm, barrier between foam layers and coils Innerspring coils: Supportive and responsive to your movements Base: Thick foam keeps the mattress stable and supportive from the bottom-up	What’s inside: Cooling cover: Breathable fabric regulates body temperature Memory foam layer: Contours around the body while relieving pressure Gel memory foam: Additional support and cooling Coils: Prevents mattress sagging while promoting spine alignment Base foam: Highly dense foam made to be durable
Scored best in: Responsiveness Spine alignment Pressure relief	Scored best in: Responsiveness Spine alignment Durability

Layla	Casper
What’s inside: Mattress cover: Made with a special softening process Soft side: Thicker layer of memory foam, made to have a softer feel Support foam: Extra layer between foam and core Core: Supports you no matter what side you choose Firm side: Thinner but denser foam that doesn’t give as much “sink” as the soft side	What’s inside: Cooling foam: A top layer of foam is designed to allow air to easily pass through Support foam: Allocated “zones” help with pressure relief and lumbar support across different areas of the body Base foam: Ensures stability and overall mattress support
Scored best in: Responsiveness Pressure rleief Edge support	Scored best in: Responsiveness Spine alignment Edge support

Loom & Leaf
What’s inside: Cover: Made of organic cotton Gel memory foam: Assist with cooling, pressure relief, and spine alignment Pressure relief foam: Thick memory foam that cushions sensitive pressure points Layered foam: Multiple types of foam assembled together to make up a sturdy, supportive base
Scored best in: Responsiveness Spine alignment Durability

What Side Sleepers Need in a Mattress

Choosing the right mattress can make or break a good night’s sleep for a side sleeper.  Because the side sleeping position inherently puts pressure on the hips and shoulders, the wrong mattress can cause joint aches, back pain, sleep disturbances, and more.

The best mattress for side sleepers will cradle your joints and support your back so you can sleep soundly throughout the night.

Mattress Materials

Memory foam mattress

Generally, the best mattress choices for side sleepers contain at least one layer of memory foam. Standard memory foam supports the natural shape of the spine to minimize the risk of aches and pains and helps to distribute body weight equally in the side sleeping position.

Latex mattress

Latex mattresses tend to provide pressure relief that can benefit side sleepers greatly, but do not have contouring features to cradle pressure points. Outfitting a latex mattress with a cushy memory foam mattress topper can provide pressure relief to make it more suitable for side sleeping.

Innerspring mattress

Innerspring mattresses are also generally not recommended for side sleepers. Although the coils in an innerspring mattress provide ample support, they are not designed for pressure relief, which can cause discomfort for side sleepers. Adding a thick comfort layer and pillow top will make side sleeping more comfortable on an innerspring mattress.

Hybrid mattress

A hybrid mattress is typically made with more than one core material. Hybrid mattresses can be a great solution for side sleepers who prefer the more traditional feel of an innerspring mattress but need additional contouring support. The innersprings keep the mattress firm to prevent pressure points from sinking too deeply into the bed, while memory foam conforms to the body to provide pressure relief for comfortable side sleeping.

Mattress Features

The following seven features are most important for side sleepers to consider when buying a new mattress:

1. Pressure relief: Side sleepers rest with their hips and shoulders pressed into the mattress, which means that these pressure points bear the majority of your body weight as you rest. Even weight distribution is key for pressure relief and allowing you to sleep better.

2. Spine alignment: Side sleepers should look for a mattress that will keep their head, shoulders and hips in a straight line to reduce the risk of muscle strain or back pain.

3. Motion transfer: If you share your mattress, it’s important to select a mattress with low motion transfer. A mattress with low motion transfer will absorb movement to prevent it from shifting over to the other side of the bed, minimizing nighttime disruptions–helpful for couples and those with pets.

4. Responsiveness: Responsiveness refers to how quickly and effectively the mattress adapts to support you as you move.  A responsive bed is comfortable for all sleeping positions and will move as you move throughout the night.

5. Edge support: Edge support provides added structure to the bed, reduces sag, and allows you to sit and sleep closer to the edge of the bed.

6. Firmness: A medium-firm mattress is the best choice for side sleepers who need a supportive mattress, without sacrificing a softer feel for sensitive pressure points.

7. Support: Without proper support, side sleepers risk dealing with back and hip pain. If you are sleeping on your side, also consider sleeping with your legs outstretched in a log position instead of the fetal position to alleviate joint pressure. Both log and fetal position sleepers should consider placing a pillow between the knees to alleviate stress on the hips. While shopping for a mattress, pay special attention to how well the bed supports the spine. If it is too soft, the spine can sink down and out of its natural “S” curve, thus causing pain. To avoid neck pain, find a pillow that is neither too flat or too fluffy. A proper pillow will work with the mattress to keep the neck and spine aligned.

FAQs on the Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Q. What are the benefits of buying a mattress for side sleepers online?

Buying a mattress for side sleepers online is convenient, efficient, and cost effective. You can take the time to research and skim unbiased reviews to find a mattress with all the features you need at the price point you’re looking for. Best of all, you can do all of this from home!

Q. What is a mattress trial period and how do I use it?

One of the best features of ordering from an online mattress company is the trial period that comes with your mattress. Mattresses often take a month or two to be broken in, so you may not understand what sleeping on a new mattress will feel like until you have slept on it for about 60 nights.

Most companies will offer generous trial periods of 100 or more nights to sleep on the mattress before making a full commitment.  During the trial period, take note of whether your sleep quality improves and how your body feels waking up on your new mattress.  After a couple of weeks, you’ll know for sure and be able to commit to your new mattress without concern.

Q. How soon will I have to replace my mattress?

A mattress that is sagging and losing its supportive tendencies can result in pressure point pain for side sleepers, so it is important to replace your mattress when it has aged. Most memory foam mattresses will last about 10-15 years, and a hybrid mattress lasts between 6-8 years depending on the materials used.  Making sure to flip your mattress every three to six months and using accessories such as a mattress pad, topper and protector can help extend the life of your mattress.

Summary of Our Top Picks for Mattresses for Side Sleepers

• Helix Midnight Luxe - Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Saatva Classic - Best Luxury Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Nectar - Best Value Mattress
• Brooklyn Aurora - Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Leesa Hybrid - Best for Couples
• Bear Hybrid - Best for Back Pain
• Layla - Best Flippable Mattress
• Casper Original - Best Memory Foam Mattress
• Loom & Leaf - Best for Heavier Side Sleepers

About the Author Jillian Mueller

Jillian is a wellness and lifestyle writer for Mattress Advisor. As a former insomniac, she is passionate about the health benefits of a restful night and helping you get a good night’s sleep.