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We spend a third of our lives in bed, so choosing the proper mattress is crucial. Side sleepers need extra cushioning on their shoulders and hips, meaning a mattress that’s too firm could cause pain or stiffness over time.
After extensive in-person testing of hundreds of mattresses, here are our top 10 expert-selected mattresses for side sleepers.
| Cost of queen | $1,995 | $1,332 | $1,099 | $1,799 | $2,265 | $2,849 | $1,599 | $2,305 | $2,499 |
| Mattress type | Hybrid | Hybrid | Memory foam | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Plush soft, luxury firm, firm | Medium-firm | Medium-firm | Softer, luxury firm, firmer, plus | Soft, medium, firm | Medium-firm | Medium-firm | Soft, medium, firm | Plush, luxury firm, firm |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 101 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| White glove delivery | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Mattress | Twin* | Full* | Queen* | King* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saatva Classic | $1,295 | $1,895 | $1,995 | $2,495 |
| Helix Midnight | $936.30 | $1,248.80 | $1,373.80 | $1,748.80 |
| The Nectar | $699 | $949 | $1,099 | $1,399 |
| WinkBeds | $1,149 | $1,499 | $1,799 | $1,999 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | $999 | $1,599 | $1,865 | $2,265 |
| Puffy Lux Hybrid | $2,249 | $2,649 | $2,849 | $3,049 |
| Titan Plus Luxe | $899 | $1,274 | $1,599 | $1,799 |
| Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid | $1,893 | $2,108 | $2,305 | $2,762 |
| Nolah Evolution | $1,499 | $2,299 | $2,499 | $2,699 |
Choosing the best mattress for your side sleeping needs is a personal decision that should be considered carefully based on a number of factors.
It’s important to consider your sleeping position when shopping for a new mattress. In general, side sleepers benefit from softer mattresses that offer pressure relief and body contouring, which is the feeling that the mattress is hugging your body.
Side sleepers may also need help to prevent or relieve pain in the back, hips, and shoulders. [5]Radwan, Ahmed. Sleep Health. December 2015. Effect of Different Mattress Designs on Promoting Sleep Quality, Pain Reduction, and Spinal Alignment in Adults With or Without Back Pain; Systematic Review of Controlled Trials. Found on the internet at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721815001400 Those who switch positions throughout the night are known as combination sleepers. A mattress that’s responsive enough to support movement can make that easier.
You want to ensure your mattress isn’t too firm when sleeping on your side. A firm mattress can put pressure on your shoulders and hips, which can lead to pain and disrupted sleep.
The firmness of a mattress, also called the “comfort level” or “feel,” is a subjective rating that our testers determine while resting on the bed. Firmness is graded on a scale of 1–10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest.
Side sleepers can benefit from a medium-firm or softer mattress that contours to their body to maintain spinal alignment and reduce discomfort. Hybrid mattresses excel in this aspect, offering both support and comfort, but quality varies.
Pressure relief is also crucial, particularly at the hips and shoulders. Hybrid mattresses that feature foam layers can help reduce pressure points and evenly distribute body weight.
Different mattresses vary significantly in their contouring and pressure relief abilities. Traditional innerspring mattresses may lack adequate contouring, while hybrid mattresses offer a compromise. Effectiveness can vary based on materials and personal needs and preferences.
Hybrid mattresses tend to be better options for side sleepers. These mattresses combine coils and memory foam to provide comfort without sacrificing support. Both are important when side sleeping.
But you have many choices when it comes to mattresses that offer different benefits and drawbacks.
Side sleepers with joint, hip, or back pain typically need mattresses that offer support while keeping the spine in a neutral alignment.
Medium-firm mattresses tend to be the best option for relieving or helping to prevent pain. [5]Radwan, Ahmed. Sleep Health. December 2015. Effect of Different Mattress Designs on Promoting Sleep Quality, Pain Reduction, and Spinal Alignment in Adults With or Without Back Pain; Systematic Review of Controlled Trials. Found on the internet at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721815001400 Hybrid designs often have supportive features that allow for comforting softness at the joints, but durable support for the hips and lower back. For shoulder and hip pain, a mattress that softly contours, or hugs the body, is key. You’ll find that more with memory foam and latex mattresses.
If you tend to sleep hot at night or sleep with a partner, you may want to consider getting a mattress made with a cooling cover, breathable memory foam, and airflow-promoting coils.
Temperature regulation in cooling mattresses usually comes from breathable natural or synthetic fiber covers, gel foam layers, perforated layers, and phase change materials, which are designed to absorb body heat. [4]Priego Quesada, Jose I., et al. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science. February 2017. Assessment of a Mattress With Phase Change Materials Using a Thermal and Perception Test. Found on the internet at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0894177716302941
Your body weight impacts how much you sink into your mattress. If you’re a heavyweight sleeper weighing more than 250 pounds, you’ll need a bed with good edge support that doesn’t sag. Heavier bodies will compress mattress materials more than lighter bodies simply due to gravity, so firmer mattresses tend to be a better choice. Lightweight sleepers less than 130 pounds may find more comfort and support in a softer mattress, which will allow them to sink in more.
Side sleepers of all weights can benefit from a medium-firm or softer mattress to prevent pressure on the joints.
Responsiveness and bounce will affect you and your partner’s sleep. Good motion isolation allows you to move around without disturbing your partner as much. On the flip side, you may enjoy a more bouncy mattress during sexual activity or if you tend to toss and turn and find yourself feeling stuck in your mattress.
Buying a mattress online is convenient since you’re shopping from the comfort of your home. You also typically have more options and better payment plans. But you can only test the mattress after purchasing it online, unless the brand has an in-person showroom, as some do. Fortunately, most companies offer generous sleep trial periods that allow customers to easily return their mattress if it’s not a good fit.
If you prefer to shop online, we recommend Saatva or Nectar in view of their 365-night trials and lifetime warranties. Nectar returns are free if you decide to return your mattress, while Saatva charges $99 for pickup.
The average lifespan for mattresses is between 7 and 10 years, depending on quality of materials and mattress construction. After that, its ability to support and relieve pressure becomes compromised.
It’s time to replace a mattress if you consistently notice aches and pains when you wake up in the morning. That’s a sign that your mattress is no longer supporting you properly. Visible signs of wear, such as sagging, lumps and deep indentations, are another indication that you should replace your mattress.
You can prolong the lifespan of your mattress by caring for it properly. Make a point of rotating it once or twice a year. Use a mattress protector to protect your mattress from stains, moisture and allergens, and wash sheets and bedding regularly.
It’s also important to pair your mattress with an appropriate foundation or base. This ensures even weight distribution and supports both your mattress and you.
When you look for a mattress, a variety of factors come into play, including what kind of sleeper you are, whether you have a partner, your weight, mattress preferences, budget, and whether you run hot or cold when you sleep. For side sleepers, choosing a mattress that will give you more support in the shoulders and hips can make sleeping more restful. Our tops three picks are the Saatva Classic, Helix Midnight, and The Nectar, but every mattress in this review was tested by our Reviews Team and could be the right one for you.
The best type of mattress for a side sleeper is one with a medium-firm feel. You’ll also want a bed to adequately support your joints and spine without adding pressure. Lightweight side sleepers may want to opt for a soft mattress to allow them to sink in more.
Generally, a hybrid is often a better option for side sleepers since it offers both support and comfort. If you enjoy a softer mattress that feels like it’s hugging your body, an all-foam mattress could be a good option.
Side sleepers rest well on high-loft pillows that help keep the neck and spine in a neutral alignment. Memory foam can do a good job of remaining supportive and comfortable. An adjustable memory foam pillow is also great for side sleepers.
Side sleepers should avoid very firm and very soft mattresses. Firm mattresses put pressure on shoulders and hips, and soft mattresses don’t offer enough lumbar, or lower back, support.
Medium-firm mattresses are best for side sleepers. Heavier sleepers may want something a bit more firm, while lighter-weight sleepers may want something softer.
For side sleepers experiencing hip pain, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe, known for its targeted support and pressure relief, is a great option. Additionally, the Bear Elite Hybrid is helpful for people dealing with back and shoulder pain. Before making a decision, research mattresses based on your specific needs to find the best option for you.
While the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain depends on individual needs and preferences, medium-firm mattresses can help with pain management. Overall, the Bear Elite Hybrid is an excellent choice for side sleepers looking for a supportive mattress. The memory foam offers pressure relief, and the coils help support the spine.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
