Our Testers Say These Are The Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers

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A comfortable mattress should last ten years or more. But, let’s be honest, you’re only going to keep yours for that long if it’s crazy cozy and supportive enough for your neck, shoulders, and spine. Finding one that checks all those boxes can be a real challenge if you’re a side sleeper—you need a mattress that’s firm enough to be supportive but with just enough give at the right pressure points.

Finding that “just right” firmness ain’t easy. "You want to make sure that the mattress is going to be firm enough, but also flexible enough to prevent pain the next day," says Carleara Weiss, PhD, a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Best mattresses for side sleepers

Other experts we spoke with agree. “Side sleepers tend to need more cushioning to accommodate shoulders and hips while retaining a firmness associated with their habits," says circadian neurologist Dr. Jeffrey Durmer, MD, Chief Medical officer at Absolute Rest. In short: Not too plush and not too firm. We’re talking about the Goldilocks mattress.

But how do you actually find that perfect balance? Our team of in-house sleep enthusiasts regularly tests dozens of mattresses for all types of sleepers, including those who like to sleep on their stomachs, backs, and even their sides. We did a deep dive into side-sleeper-friendly mattresses from ultra-luxe brands like Tempur-Pedic and Saatva, to Amazon mattresses, and budget memory foam mattresses. These are our picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers to shop this year.

What to consider

Firmness

Side sleepers often need a softer (a.k.a., “plusher”) mattress than back and stomach sleepers. The best mattresses for side sleepers conform to the natural curves of the body to provide pressure relief for the shoulders and hips. Beds that are too firm can cause pain in these sensitive areas. Keep in mind, however, that there are no industry-wide standards for firmness. One brand’s “medium-firm” may be its competitor’s “medium.”

Pressure relief

Finding a mattress with proper pressure relief is even more important for side sleepers than it is for back and stomach sleepers. Look for a mattress that cradles your body’s shape and evenly distributes your weight. The wrong firmness level may be too firm in all the wrong places or so soft that it doesn't support your back, shoulders, or hips in the way that you need it.

Your body weight

Your own weight plays a role in finding the right mattress. Heavier side sleepers will need to account for a little bit of extra weight by shopping for a slightly firmer mattress for the right support.

Sleeping style and position

If you’re a combo side sleeper—one who changes position in the night from side to stomach, etc.—look for a mattress that compromises between softness and firmness. The best way to know for sure is to try any mattresses you’re considering in person.

Sleep trial

The single best way to know that you’re getting the right mattress for you is to try it out in person. Most brands, even some of the most popular online brands, make their mattresses available at brick-and-mortar locations around the country. If that’s not an option, we recommend shopping for brands with solid in-home sleep trials of at least 90 days, preferably 180 or longer. Some of the best mattress brands offer one-year trials, so you know your purchase is risk-free.

How we chose the best mattresses for side sleepers

Our sleep-obsessed staff researches and vets dozens of mattresses every year. We compare every feature and spec, from comfort and construction quality to durability and price. For this roundup, we also consulted with leading professionals in the field, including Carleara Weiss, PhD; Dr. Jeffrey Durmer, MD; and Tony Nalda, to get their expert takes on what to look for when shopping for a side-sleeper-friendly mattress. Ultimately, our team decided on these seven models as our picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2024.

Rx Mattress

We're a little obsessed with everything in Saatva's catalog. Side sleepers and chronic pain sufferers, in particular, will love the brand's Rx Mattress. It's a pricey option for sure, but it's a clear step above every other option in this year's roundup.

Saatva lists the firmness as "supportive plush," but don't let the "plush" part fool you. The top foam layer is plush and cushy but combines with a very supportive layer of microcoils for maximum contour, support, and comfort. It's a perfect balance for side sleepers, and we've never felt that awkward "sinking in" feeling that's typical of memory foam. There are plenty of temperature-regulating features baked into this mattress, too, including a soft, breathable cover that makes this one of the best cooling mattresses we tested this year, too. Bonus: Saatva's industry-leading 365-night in-home sleep trial with a lifetime warranty, too!

"I've never been a huge fan of memory foam (even though my husband loves it)," said one of our side-sleeping editors. "But the design of this one made me a convert." She also says that the firmness is just right for her and her partner, and it does a great job of keeping her cool at night.

Read more: Saatva Mattress Review

Original Foam 10" Mattress

Weiss advises that side sleepers “want to buy a medium-firm mattress, as it supports your shoulders and hips.” Leesa's Original Foam mattress is available in just one firmness level, but we found it to hit that "just right" sweet spot that's great for side sleepers. It offers a good balance of support and contouring that's neither too plush nor too firm.

It's designed with multiple foam layers. The high-density foam base layer provides enough support for a wide variety of body shapes, sizes, and weights. A second memory foam layer contours or "hugs" the body without that weird "sunken-in" feeling that's typical of lesser memory foam models. It's all topped off with a layer of cool, breathable foam. Our only real gripe? It's only available in a thinnish 10-inch profile, which isn't as cushy as others we tested this year. But for the price, it's hard to complain.

After a months-long recovery from a back injury, Women's Health assistant editor Addison Aloian swears by the Leesa Original. “As someone who's struggled with back pain, it's given me just the right amount of support as a side-sleeper because it's firm, but also soft," she says. "Some days, I never want to leave it. Plus, it's held up well for years. I def recommend it."

Premier Copper Mattress

For side sleepers who want a slightly more plush (i.e., softer) feel, we like Nectar's Premier Copper Mattress. It's one of the company's softest models with a unique foam construction that creates a "locked-in" feel that's like being hugged while you sleep.

The 14-inch construction combines a 7-inch base layer for stability with a thin transition layer that helps minimize motion transfer (great for couples!). It's topped with four inches of therapeutic gel memory for maximum pressure relief. Triple-action cooling features include heat-wicking copper fibers in the cover and an adaptive phase-change material that reacts to your body temperature, actively trapping and whisking away body heat while you sleep. Translation: It's a near-perfect mattress for side sleepers who tend to sleep hot.

For buyers, Nectar ticks all of our must-have boxes. That includes a 365-night in-home sleep trial—the best in the business. Plus, every one of its mattresses is backed with a lifetime "Forever Warranty." Delivery and returns are both free, too, so buying a Nectar mattress feels truly risk-free. For a "best of both worlds" upgrade, check out the Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid that combines memory foam with a traditional coil construction.

Read more: Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

Midnight Elite

Side sleepers need a mattress that's neither too firm nor too plush, and the Helix Midnight Elite delivers. It's the company's flagship mattress with a medium-firm design that's versatile enough to work with any sleep position. That makes it a great choice for combo side sleepers who might shift to their back or stomach during the night.

It's made with five inches of high-density memory foam that is soft and supportive to alleviate pressure on the shoulders and hips. An additional two layers of individually wrapped microcoils add extra cushioning and help reduce back pressure, too.

After sleeping for more than a month on the Midnight Elite, Women's Health lifestyle director Lindsay Geller saw a huge improvement in her lower back pain. “I've noticed my lower back pain disappear practically overnight," she says. "As a stomach/side sleeper who tends to change positions throughout the night, I always feel supported by this mattress, no matter what position I ultimately end up sleeping in.” Plus, Helix made it easy to find the most comfortable mattress for her online. “I love that I was able to take a quiz that determined the perfect mattress to suit my specific sleep needs because that's worked better for me than testing out a mattress at a traditional store," she says.

Like all of the very best mattresses we've tested, the Midnight Elite doesn't come cheap. The queen-sized option is priced around $3,000, not including the frame, although Helix does offer free delivery—and sometimes free bedding, too—which is a nice touch. At this price, however, we do wish the 100-night trial was at least a year and the 15-year warranty was 25 years or more.

Green Mattress

Avocado has made a name for itself as the world's most eco-friendly mattress company, and its aptly named Green Mattress is no exception. It's built with an extremely soft, comfy combination of sustainably-made latex, organic wool, and organic cotton. Unlike the non-organic mattresses we've tested, the Avocado Green Mattress doesn't have that chemicall-y smell upon opening, which is a huge plus for us.

Side sleepers will love the hybrid construction, which combines 14,000 pocketed support coils with Avocado's green foam for pinpoint support and comfort. The design is ultra-responsive with excellent motion isolation, making it a great option for couples and anyone who wants to limit that tossing-and-turning feel during the night.

It's among the priciest mattresses we tested for this year's roundup. But that sky-high price tag does get you a one-year in-home sleep trial with a 25-year warranty to protect your investment. Plus, Avocado throws free delivery into the mix too.

For side sleepers looking for a plusher sleep experience, Avocado offers a "Plush" upgrade with an attached European-style pillow-top filled with an additional two inches of latex rubber foam.

Tempur-Adapt Collection

We're huge fans of everything Tempur-Pedic. The brand's mattresses might be pricier than most of its competition, but trust us, they're worth it. The 11-inch Tempur-Adapt offers maximum pressure relief, making it a great option for side sleepers.

The collection boasts a unique feature called dynamic spinal support that helps minimize pressure points and keep your neck and spine in alignment. That same tech has the added benefit of acting as motion cancellation. It's a great feature for couples who tend to toss and turn because when one person moves, the other is unlikely to feel it. Like all Tempur-Pedic mattresses, the Tempur-Adapt collection offers solid cooling features, too, making it a great option for hot sleepers.

It's hard to find much to complain about with Tempur-Pedic's mattresses. Our gripes are mostly the price (they're almost always more expensive than the competition) and the fact that the company only offers a 90-night in-home sleep trial, which is a little skimpy compared to almost every other major mattress brand we've tested. For side sleepers looking to splurge on serious pressure-relief support, check out the 12" Tempur-Adapt ProAdapt (20% more pressure relief) and 13" LuxeAdapt (30% more conforming with maximum pressure relief).

Read more: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Nod Adaptive Foam and Innerspring Mattress

As one of the original mattress-in-a-box brands, Tuft & Needle is still among the best in the game. Its Nod sub-brand is an Amazon exclusive that offers many of the same great features as T&N's flagship mattresses but at a significant discount.

The Nod 10-inch Hybrid mattress features a "best of both worlds" construction with all of the support of traditional innerspring coils and the comfort and pressure relief of next-gen memory foam. The ten-inch profile is made with a six-inch coil base for stability and support, topped by an adaptive foam layer. The result is a medium firmness that's ideal for both side sleepers and couples who can't seem to agree on the perfect firmness level. It’s firm enough to be supportive, but soft enough to provide the gentle “hug” feel without sinking in too much.

One staffer has personally had this mattress for years and absolutely loves it. “I’ve had chronic back pain since I was young, so I like a medium-firm or even firm mattress. But, my girlfriend is a die-hard plush mattress lover," he says. "Somehow, the Nod Mattress is the perfect balance that works for both of us. Anytime we travel or overnight on a different non-T&N mattress away from home, one of the first things we say to each other is how much we miss our mattress at home!"

Meet the experts

• Carleara Weiss, PhD, is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

• Dr. Jeffrey Durmer, MD, PhD., is a sleep and circadian neurologist and Chief Medical Officer at Absolute Rest.

• Tony Nalda is a chiropractor and leads the Scoliosis Reduction Center.

Is a memory foam mattress better for side sleepers?

Memory foam is a great mattress choice for side sleepers. The material naturally conforms to the shape of your body, cradling the hips and shoulders to reduce common pressure points. It also encourages neutral spinal alignment, which is critical for good sleep posture. Because side sleepers often prefer a slightly softer mattress, memory foam is a good choice as it tends to be more soft and supportive than traditional innerspring mattresses. Keep in mind that lesser memory foams can trap heat. If you're a hot sleeper, look for premium foam mattresses with breathable covers, cooling layers, and other temperature-regulating tech.

Is side-sleeping the best position for sleep?

There is no one best position for everyone. But, Nalda notes front sleeping (sleeping on your stomach) “strains your neck as you have to turn your head to one side to breathe. This can cause muscle tightness, inflammation, and pain. He goes on to say that it also flattens the natural curve of your spine, which can cause lower back pain. If you already have neck and back problems, sleeping in this position is almost guaranteed to make them worse.

"Back sleeping is best as it maintains the natural curve of the spine and minimizes pressure on the joints," Nalda says. But, of course, it’s not for everyone. He does say that side sleeping improves heart health and reduces snoring. At the very least, choose a mattress and pillow that provide the right level of comfort and support for your preferred position. If you need help transitioning from one position to another, consider a body pillow to provide extra support and discourage you from rolling onto your stomach.

What’s the best way to sleep on your side?

For maximum comfort and support when sleeping on your side, Nalda recommends bringing your legs slightly up towards your chest, and place a pillow between your legs. This can help to take the pressure off your spine, keeping it and your hips and pelvis in alignment. He also recommends occasionally swapping the side you sleep on throughout the night. Otherwise, the one side of your body pressing against the bed can become cramped and stiff.

Shop more of our favorite mattresses and sleep accessories

Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers | Best Pillows for Side Sleepers | Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain | Best Pillows for Neck Pain | Best Mattresses on Amazon | Best Mattress for Back Pain | Best Cooling Comforters

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