Most people have a preferred sleep position, but science has yet to fully understand why. Research has shown that whether we sleep on our back, stomach, or side—and even which side—can affect the quality of our sleep and other biological processes. Sleep can also impact our daytime posture, and certain sleep positions can have either a positive or negative effect on our health. Side sleeping is the most common position, so finding the best mattress for side sleepers can help ensure an uninterrupted night. One 2025 study found that when people slept on their backs, their sleep was disrupted more than 100% as often during the night as people who slept on their sides.¹ 

In our March 2025 survey of sleepers who have chronic pain, the vast majority of respondents—63%—say they sleep on their side.² Another 25% switch positions, so they may end up on their side at some point during the night. “For side sleepers, supporting the spine may be a concern,” said Anita Davis, PT, DPT, FNCP, a physical therapist who specializes in treating people with chronic pain at Brooks Rehabilitation, which has many locations across northeast and central Florida. “Sometimes a mattress is unable to fully adapt to the contours of the body, which leaves the lower back under a bit of strain.” Ideally, she explained, side sleepers want their weight distributed evenly across the entire side of their torso to support their spine in a more neutral position. 

This can mean added support for the shoulders and hips, your two main points of contact with any mattress. When sleeping on your side, all your weight tends to be concentrated at those points. “Make sure you’re getting the support you need,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, senior vice president of research and scientific affairs for the National Sleep Foundation. “A medium-firm mattress helps support the neck and hips.” 

To choose the best mattresses for side sleepers, we looked for those that offer excellent support, especially at those key pressure points. We also identified the best mattresses for side sleepers across a range of categories, including people of higher weight, side sleepers with back pain and arthritis, and more. 

Our Top Pick

Nectar Premier

Best Overall

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• Excellent pressure relief for hips and shoulders
• Supports while it contours to the spine

• Scored high in motion isolation, for less disruptive sleep

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Helix Midnight Luxe

Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

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• Our highest-scoring mattress for back pain relief
• Impressive pressure relief

• Reinforced back support helps release tension

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Saatva Classic

Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers

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• Relieves pressure on hips and shoulders
• Three different firmness options

• Zoned lower back support 

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Best mattresses for side sleepers in 2025

• Nectar Premier: Best Overall for Side Sleepers
• Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain
• Saatva Classic: Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers
• WinkBed Luxury Firm:  Best for Side Sleepers with Arthritis
• Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: Best Hybrid for Side Sleepers
• Titan Plus: Best Mattress for Higher-Weight Side Sleepers

Table 1 Comparing the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2025

What we look for in a mattress for side sleepers

We looked for the following features when choosing the best mattresses:

All-around comfort

Mattresses with multiple firmness options, good lower-back support, and contouring top layers should appeal to a variety of sleepers.

Good pressure relief

We looked for mattresses with good pressure relief along the shoulders, back, and hips for a peaceful night’s sleep. 

High pain relief score

Unique to NCOA, mattresses with a high pain relief score have a winning combination of pressure relief, firmness, and more, which can help soothe back pain.

Great customer service

We preferred mattress brands with free setup and delivery, lengthy trial periods, and positive reputations 

Nectar Premier: Best Overall for Side Sleepers

The Nectar Premier met all the criteria for the best mattress for side sleepers. It relieves pressure in key areas for those who sleep on their sides, according to both testing data and people who slept on the mattress. The memory foam mattress offers the best combination of softness and support for side sleepers.  

Our Top Pick

Nectar Premier

Best Overall

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• Relieves pressure on shoulders and hips
• Contouring memory foam offers comfort and support

• Ideal firmness level for side sleepers

Nectar Premier features

• Our pressure relief score: 4.25
• Accessibility score: 4.36
• Mattress type: foam
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5

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Why we chose the Nectar Premier as the Best Overall for Side Sleepers 

Nectar Premier stands out as the overall best mattress for side sleepers. Nectar’s Premier line offers the best support at key pressure points, including the shoulders and hips. We tested both the Nectar Premier Hybrid and the Nectar Premier Memory Foam, and found both mattresses to be great options for side sleepers. 

Those who prefer more contouring to their bodies and exceptional motion isolation will want to look into the Nectar Premier Memory Foam. It ranked highest in our pressure relief tests and was also a favorite among our testers, indicating that its excellent scores translated to a great sleep experience. 

For anyone seeking a firmer mattress, we recommend the Nectar Premier Hybrid, which also received near-perfect scores for side sleeping pressure relief from our testers. 

Nectar Premier pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Nectar Premier

While our testers gave the Nectar Premier memory foam mattress high scores, one noted that it felt a bit too soft for her taste. Fans of memory foam may appreciate the added softness, which testers likened to feeling gently hugged. This type of contouring is ideal for those who sleep on their side, as it provides support and cradles the body at points of contact with the mattress, such as the shoulders and hips.

If memory foam is too soft for you, the Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress also scored highly and was described by our testers as "the most comfortable mattress." One noted that he felt his shoulders and hips were aligned while lying on it, and his lower back felt well-supported. He also pointed out that this mattress was “definitely one of the better ones I’ve tested for cooling,” which makes it a good choice for anyone who tends to sleep hot.

Who is the Nectar Premier right for?

The Nectar Premier is the best mattress for side sleepers because it provides exceptional support in key areas. The Memory Foam mattress is rated highest, but if you're not a fan of memory foam, the Premier Hybrid mattress is another good choice. The high level of support also makes these both good choices for anyone with back pain. If you don’t sleep alone and want to minimize the amount of movement you feel during the night, this mattress provides the ideal support and motion isolation for you. And if you like a cool mattress all night long, this fits the bill. 

While memory foam is great for motion isolation, it can make moving a little more difficult, as you tend to sink into the bed. So it may not be the best choice for active sleepers who move a lot or get up throughout the night. Memory foam’s contouring makes it harder to move freely. 

The Nectar customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: White-glove delivery is $199
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Nectar customer service by:

• Phone: 888-863-2827, available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT
• Email: support@nectarsleep.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a store

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • Splitlt
  • Amazon Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Military members, first responders, and health care professionals take note: you can get a 5% discount, although it cannot be combined with other offers.
• Financing: Yes, Affirm. Nectar also offers a lease-to-own option through Acima.

Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

The Helix Midnight Luxe earns the title of “Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain” because of how well it relieves stress on both the back and side. It rated first in our tests for support, and testers could definitely feel the difference, noting that when they were on their sides, they felt fully supported from their shoulders to their lower back. 

Helix Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign

Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

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• Excellent back pressure relief for side sleepers
• Can add the ErgoAlign, a layer of dense foam that adds extra support for the back

• Hybrid (foam and coils) mattress offers targeted support for back pain

Helix Midnight Luxe features

• Our pressure relief score: 4.75
• Accessibility score: 4.74
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 5.5

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Why we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as the Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

The Helix Midnight Luxe earned its spot as the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain based on its close to perfect score in our pain relief ranking. Test results were even better for the Midnight Luxe with the ErgoAlign upgrade, a layer of foam in the middle of the mattress for added back support. Our testers’ praise for the mattress was validated by its high pressure relief scores for the shoulders, hips, and back, which take the most strain when side sleeping.

We were also impressed with the Helix Midnight Luxe’s affordable cost when compared with competitors, which is another reason we feel Helix stands out. The brand also boasts an excellent reputation for quality and customer service.

Back pain can have many different causes—and solutions—so it's important to speak to your health care provider to understand what triggers your back pain and how to address it. Of course, sleep can play a big role in back pain, given the hours you spend lying in a certain position. A supportive mattress, such as the Helix Midnight Luxe, especially with the EargoAlign layer, can provide targeted support to relieve stress on your spine and other key pressure points. Those areas change depending on the position you sleep in, and the best mattress for side sleepers tends to be one that supports the shoulders and hips. 

Helix Midnight Luxe pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Helix Midnight Luxe.

Our testers really noticed the Helix Midnight Luxe’s superior and even pressure relief. One noted, “My hips feel aligned nicely … I don't feel like I'm lacking support in any area.” One higher-weight tester commented on the mattress’s firmness. He gave it a perfect score for even support while lying down, although he did note that it was not as supportive when sitting on the edge, and the lack of bounce made it more difficult to rise from a seated position on the mattress. 

If you experience back pain and sleep on your side, testers did say this mattress offers whole-body support. “My lower back feels aligned for the most part and not as curved,” said one. “My spine feels pretty good and I don't feel any extra pressure.” And while the mattress is firm, it still feels soft and comfortable and stays relatively cool, which is good for anyone who tends to sleep hot.

Who is the Helix Midnight Luxe right for?

The Helix Midnight Luxe got high marks across several categories. It is our choice for the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain, and its relative firmness makes it a good choice for people who tend to change position a lot during the night. Its cooling technology makes it a nice option for anyone who prefers their mattress to stay cool at night. If you sleep with a partner (or pet) and are easily disturbed by their movement, this may not be the best choice because our testers could feel movement rather easily.

The Helix Midnight Luxe customer experience

• Trial period: 100 nights
• Shipping: Free shipping
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Helix customer service by:

• Phone: Call 831-777-5976, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Text: Texting HELIX to 67069, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Live chat: Live chat via the bottom right corner of the website, available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Email: help@helixsleep.com
• Website: Submit a contact form
• Calling or visiting a showroom

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Google Pay
  • Discover
  • Shop Pay
  • Amazon Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, the company currently offers a discount for military members, first responders, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
• Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Saatva Classic: Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers

When it comes to pure comfort, the Saatva Classic innerspring mattress just may be the best mattress for side sleepers. It scored as close to perfect as possible (9.99) in overall support, and the only mattress that scored better for pressure relief in the shoulders and hips was our best overall winner, the Nectar Premier. It got rave reviews from our testers, even those who don’t usually sleep on their sides. 

Saatva Classic

Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers

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• More supportive than any other mattress we tested
• Comes in 3 firmness levels

• Exceptional 365-day trial period and a lifetime warranty 
• Free white glove delivery

Saatva Classic features

• Our pressure relief score: 4/5
• Accessibility score: 4.94
• Mattress type: Innerspring
• Brand’s firmness rating: 7/10

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Why we chose the Saatva Classic as the Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers

It was clear that the Saatva Classic is the best mattress for side sleepers seeking ultimate comfort. We were impressed with its scores, which included the highest among tested mattresses for total support, and the second highest for pressure relief. Saatva Classic also earned high scores in pain relief and ease of movement, making it a great option for most sleepers, regardless of their preferred sleeping position. 

Our testers were very impressed with how supportive the innerspring mattress was, even when our testers claimed not to like innerspring mattresses. We liked the bed’s plush pillow top and organic cotton cover, which makes side sleeping comfortable even for those who prefer other positions. Saatva offers three levels of firmness to suit most preferences. The brand also has a great reputation for quality and exceptional customer service, including free white glove delivery and 24/7 customer support. 

Saatva Classic pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Saatva Classic

Our testers were very impressed with the Saatva Classic innerspring mattress, particularly in terms of comfort. They liked that the mattress is supportive and firm, but still has some give, so it feels plush and not stiff. One said, “I am typically not a side sleeper, and I could see myself sleeping like this on this mattress. I feel very comfortable in this position and my shoulder and neck feel good.” They also noted how the mattress conformed to their body, relieving stress on the shoulders and hips when they slept on their side, without leaving any empty spaces. 

Our testers noted that this mattress performs slightly below average in isolating motion when you sleep with a partner. One said, “I felt bounced and a little bit of a ripple effect” when the partner moved, and noted that it would likely be enough of an annoyance to interrupt sleep. 

In general, though, testers appreciated that the mattress’s slight bounce makes it easy to get in and out of bed. “This one feels like it helps my body when standing out of the bed,” said one tester. Another popular feature was the edge-to-edge support. Said one tester, “I have experience in the past with bad edge support and [have] fallen off my mattress a few times. The edge feels very supportive, and I don't feel like I would fall out. Even laying and readjusting I feel supported on the edge. My mattress [at] home, if I were to lay in this position, I would be on the floor.”

Who is the Saatva Classic right for?

The Saatva Classic is a great choice for those who value support in any sleeping position, particularly those who sleep on their sides. Its pressure-relieving design cradles the spine and takes stress off the hips, shoulders, and neck. Its edge-to-edge support makes it easy to get in and out of bed and change positions throughout the night. It may not be the best choice if you sleep with a partner and are sensitive to their movements.

The Saatva Classic customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: Free white-glove delivery
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by:

• Phone: 860-452-3977, available 24/7
• Email: info@saatvamattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, Saatva offers $225 off a purchase of $1,000 or more to adults 65 and older, military members and their families, health care professionals, government employees, and more. This cannot be combined with other offers. Find more information here.
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

The WinkBed Luxury Firm: Best for Side Sleepers with Arthritis

The WinkBed Luxury Firm hybrid is the best mattress for side sleepers with arthritis because it not only came in third overall in our pain relief tests, it was also chosen as the best mattress for relieving pressure when sleeping on your side by our testers. Winkbed offers some other features that may be beneficial for anyone with arthritis, including solid edge support to make movement easy, and a choice of mattress heights. It may help more if used with an adjustable bed.

The WinkBed Luxury Firm

Best for Side Sleepers with Arthritis

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• Supportive and relieves pressure
• Easy to get in and out of

• Stays cool through the night

The WinkBed Luxury Firm features

• Our pressure relief score: 4.5
• Accessibility score: 4.44
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5

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Why we chose the WinkBed Luxury Firm as the Best for Side Sleepers with Arthritis

The WinkBed Luxury Firm is a hybrid mattress that offers great support and pain relief, particularly for those who prefer sleeping on their side, making it our top choice as the best mattress for side sleepers with arthritis. In our tests, this mattress scored highly for relieving pressure across the board, including on the hips and shoulders, where side sleepers are most likely to feel stress. Our testers who slept on the WinkBed Luxury Firm said it offered the best support while sleeping on their sides. It also ranked third overall in terms of pain relief, which is helpful for anyone who has arthritis. 

The Winkbed comes in different levels of firmness. We tested the Luxury Firm and found it provided the ideal balance of support and bounce to make moving on and off the mattress easy, even for someone with chronic pain conditions, like arthritis. It also remains supportive right to the edge, with no sagging that might lead to falls or other accidents. Testers noted how much support this mattress provided, especially under their hips and shoulders, when lying on their sides. The WinkBed is available in various heights, making it easy to find one that matches your height, which can help you get in and out of bed with greater 

The Winkbed Luxury Firm pros and cons

Our testing experience with the WinkBed Luxury Firm

Side sleepers who tried the WinkBed Luxury Firm appreciated how well it supported their shoulders and hips, keeping them aligned. One noted that she “doesn't feel any pressure building at shoulders and hips but still feels support.” Testers also commented that the mattress has a level of firmness that keeps them from feeling like they are sinking into it as they would with a memory foam mattress. “I definitely feel more ‘on top’ of this mattress than in,” one said. “I find it easy to roll around on.”

Although testers noted the uniform support of this mattress, and the lack of sinking of sagging, one did say edge support could be better and felt that a person with a higher weight might slide off from a sitting position. Testers also noted that the mattress height of 14 inches could be too difficult to get in and out of for some people. 

Another feature testers really enjoyed was how soft and cool the quilted pillow top is. One tester remarked that it is “definitely one of the top ones I've tested based on how cool it feels when I immediately touch it.” She also said that when lying down, she could feel the airflow keeping her back a little cooler, even with the extra quilted fabric. “The top of the mattress feels soft like memory foam, but actually doesn't feel like it traps heat like memory foam usually does,” said a tester. “I don't feel like it's hugging me or making me feel hotter.”

Who is the WinkBed Luxury Firm right for?

Because of the WinkBed’s hybrid construction and great edge support, it minimizes motion when sleeping with a partner. It also did well in our pain relief testing, which makes it a good choice for anyone with back pain. If you prefer a cool mattress, testers ranked this one as above average, and say its edge support and firmness are assets for anyone who struggles to get in and out of bed or changes position frequently. 

WinkBed customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free shipping
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact WinkBed customer service by:

• Phone: Call 855-946-5233, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Email: info@winkbeds.com
• Chat: Live chat in lower right corner of website, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Calling or visiting a showroom

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Shop Pay
  • Apple Pay
• Discounts? Yes, the company currently offers an additional $50 off for military members and their families, first responders, law enforcement, and health care workers. This can be combined with other offers. 
• Financing: Yes, WinkBeds offers financing through Bread Pay and Katapult

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers

Brooklyn Bedding’s mattresses score high in our tests for supporting the hips and shoulders, with two out of three of the brand’s mattresses scoring high on our list. With shoulder and hip pressure buildup serving as a key concern for side sleepers, we feel confident recommending the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe for those who want a mattress to relieve side pressure. The Aurora Luxe also has superior cooling properties, and testers gave it a perfect rating for responsiveness, which makes it easier to get in and out of bed.

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleeping

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• Received top marks for pressure relief
• Ideal for those who move through the night or get in and out of bed frequently

• Great temperature regulation

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe features

• Our pressure relief score: 5
• Accessibility score: 4.4
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 7.5

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Why we chose the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe as the Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers

For anyone who sleeps on their side, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe hybrid mattress offers excellent support in key areas, such as the shoulders and hips. It earned a perfect 5 out of 5 in our pressure relief tests, and testers found it to be firm and supportive, while maintaining their spine alignment.

The Aurora Luxe Cooling is designed for temperature control, with three different layers of cooling material, and it shows. The mattress stayed cool to the touch and wowed testers with how well it removed heat. 

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Our testers commented on how this mattress is firm yet bouncy, providing a supportive feel that responds to a sleeper’s movements. One said, “It is easy to move positions because you sit on top of the mattress so much.” He noted that his body did not sink in much when lying on top of the mattress and felt supported when lying on his side. 

One drawback to this mattress, our testers pointed out, was the weak edge support. When seated on the side of the bed, one tester said he felt like he was going to slide off and called it the worst edge support of any mattress he tried. He did note that when lying or sitting further back from the edge, the support was much better. 

The most talked-about feature of this mattress was its superior cooling ability. One tester commented that the mattress was so smooth and cool it almost felt wet. Another said, “The top feels really cool—probably the coolest one I've touched so far. There's no extra fabric or any heavy quilting on the top, which I think helps it not feel so bulky and like it will retain heat. The top actually feels several degrees colder than everything around it.” He went on, “When I lie down on the mattress, I don't feel heat building up at all, and like I said, every part of my body that's touching the mattress feels a few degrees cooler than everything else. I'm really impressed with the cooling of this mattress. 

Who is the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe right for?

The Aurora Luxe performed well in our pressure relief tests, so it may be a good choice for anyone with aches and pains. If you’re looking for a mattress that responds well to movement, this is a top pick. It’s also excellent at cooling, so if you want a hybrid mattress that stays cool while you sleep, this is one worth considering.

The Brooklyn Bedding customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free 
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

While mystery shopping, our team found Brooklyn Bedding to be inconsistent with its support hours. The website currently lists the following customer service avenues:

• Phone: Call 623-624-1222, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET 
• Chat: Live chat via the bottom right corner of the website, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. ET
• Email: support@brooklynbedding.com 
• Website: Submit a contact form

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • Shop Pay
  • PayPal
  • Google Pay
• Discounts? The company currently offers 5% off for military members, first responders, medical providers, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
• Financing: Yes, Affirm and Shop Pay

Titan Plus: Best Mattress for Higher-Weight Side Sleepers

It’s no surprise that our pick for the best mattress for higher-weight side sleepers comes from a brand that specializes in mattresses for plus-size people. The Titan Plus hybrid mattress has features designed to be more supportive and durable for higher weights, including excellent edge support, a taller than average height, and a high firmness score.

Titan Plus

Best for Higher Weight People with Back Pain

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• Taller mattress height 
• Excellent side pressure relief from individually wrapped coils

• Designed specifically for higher-weight adults

Titan Plus features

• Our pressure relief score: 4.5
• Accessibility score: 4.92
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 8

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Why we chose the Titan Plus as the Best for Higher Weight Side Sleepers

The Titan Plus was highly rated for its ability to reduce pressure and support joints for side sleepers, particularly in areas such as the shoulders and hips. A layer of individually wrapped coils helps distribute pressure evenly, creating excellent edge support and preventing sagging. It also made testers feel like their spines were well-aligned in that position. 

The extra height of this mattress and its layers of foam mean that higher body weight side sleepers get plenty of support. Testers reported that the mattress feels firm enough to prevent sinking, yet remains comfortable. They noted that it is easy to move around because you’re lying on top of the mattress rather than being swallowed by it. 

Titan Plus pros and cons

Our testers were impressed with the stability and support of the Titan Plus, although one did note that “you do need to like a firm mattress.” This one is on the higher side, with a 7.5 firmness rating, which tends to be helpful for people with a higher body weight. Testers mentioned that it doesn’t compress easily, and that makes changing positions or rising from the mattress much easier.

Testers noted that they felt supported in all positions, and when lying on their sides, there was even pressure relief with no gaps where their body wasn’t being supported. One noted that lying on her side kept her spine straight, and that she thinks this mattress would be “great for people with back pain because of the excellent spinal alignment.”

Another common remark was how the mattress offers edge-to-edge support. It was strong enough that one tester was able to rise from a seated position with no assistance. She said that she felt very secure on her side without pain in the hips or shoulders, and that “The edge is just as supportive as the middle.” 

She also wasn’t disturbed by a partner’s motion, saying, “I can feel the movement, but it definitely feels dampened. I can feel the slightest bounce, but it doesn't ripple or reverberate at all. It feels like it starts and then stops immediately. I don't think it would wake me up.”

Testers also noted that this mattress was “above average for cooling” and the quilted cover is comfortable, smooth, and seems to be high quality. 

Who is the Titan Plus right for?

Because it is so firm, the Titan Plus is a good choice for sleepers with a higher body weight and anyone with back pain. Its wrapped coil system limits motion transfer, so it’s also well-suited for anyone who doesn’t want to be disturbed by a partner’s movements or changes position frequently themselves. Strong edge support is ideal for those with difficulty getting in and out of bed. The mattress was also rated above average for cooling, so it can be good for people who tend to feel hot at night. 

The Titan customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free 
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

Titan is a Brooklyn Bedding company, and its hours tend to be inconsistent, according to our mystery shopping. Its website states you can reach customer service by:

• Phone: Call 623-624-1222, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET 
• Chat: Live chat via the bottom right corner of the Titan website, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. ET
• Email: support@brooklynbedding.com 
• Website: Submit a contact form

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • Shop Pay
  • PayPal
  • Google Pay
• Discounts? The company currently offers 5% off for military members, first responders, medical providers, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

Our process testing the best mattresses for side sleepers

To find the best mattresses for side sleepers, we tested mattresses using pressure-sensing devices and other equipment such as heat measurement guns. We also recruited older adults to test the mattresses and report on their experiences, ranking firmness, edge support, pressure relief, and other factors. 

Optimal firmness levels

Side sleepers generally benefit from a soft to medium-firm mattress because it helps ease pressure on the hips and shoulders, two areas where stress is greatest when lying on the side. Those with a higher body weight may prefer a slightly firmer mattress, while those with a lower body weight may opt for a slightly softer one.

Pressure relief technologies

Our pressure relief score reflects our testers’ experiences on the mattress and the results shown on our pressure map. The pressure map uses sensors to show how much pressure the body feels when lying on the mattress. Blue and green are great pressure relief; yellow, orange, and red show places where pressure builds up.

Surface support 

People who sleep on their side require extra support under their hips and shoulders, where their weight is concentrated. We looked for mattresses that are supportive throughout the spine while offering enough cushioning to relieve pressure on the joints. We asked testers how they felt lying on their side and had them lie on each mattress to understand the level of support the mattress provided to people of varying weights.

All-around comfort

We had testers review the feel of fabrics and mattress toppers and note how smooth they were, and how much cushion they provided. Testers also reviewed how easy it was to move around on the surface of the mattress and get in and out of it. 

Choosing the right mattress when you sleep on your side

Shopping for a new mattress can lead you down a rabbit hole of materials, firmness levels, and cooling technology, just to name a few of the options. In general, people who sleep on their side benefit from a medium-firm mattress with support at the shoulders and hips. Side sleepers can get added cushion and comfort from a pillow top. If you sleep with a partner and are easily awakened, a mattress with good motion isolation can help prevent you from feeling any movements.

Memory Foam

• Foam mattresses use layers of foam, not springs, for cushion and support. Memory foam “remembers” the curves of your body and contours to them when you sleep. Many side sleepers find this gives them the support and pressure relief they need. “Memory foam allows more softness and contour for pressure relief,” said Brooks. Support is key in foam mattresses because they tend to sag. Side sleepers will benefit most from medium to medium-firm foam mattresses. While a layer or two of memory foam can be helpful for side sleepers, too much contouring may make it difficult to shift positions. Memory foam also tends to retain more heat compared to other kinds. 

Innerspring

• This type of mattress uses metal coils for support and tends to be bouncier than foam mattresses. There are different types of coils, but side sleepers may want those that are individually wrapped, which means they limit the transfer of movement from one spring to the next. That prevents you from feeling a partner shifting around on the mattress. Innerspring mattresses can be good for people with arthritis or mobility issues because of how responsive they are. The bounce of the springs provides a slight boost when getting in and out of bed.

Hybrid

• Hybrid mattresses use a mix of coils and foam for support and come in many different configurations. Most are medium to medium-firm. Because these mattresses have a mix of bounce and contouring, they offer side sleepers the best of both worlds in terms of support. 

Latex

• Latex is a natural rubber-like product that has some bounce without springs. The material can be dense and heavy, and doesn’t always offer a lot of support for side sleepers. 

Mattresses to avoid when you sleep on your side

If you sleep on your side, you should avoid anything less than a medium-firm mattress because it is unlikely to give you enough support. “Some mattresses may advertise the ability to fully support the contours of the spine,” said Brooks. “That may make the mattress so soft that it presents a challenge to change positions because of the sinking feeling of the mattress.”

For side sleepers, especially older adult side sleepers, finding that support becomes essential to a good night of sleep. In our March 2025 focus group of six older adult sleepers who experience chronic pain, this came up multiple times. “Typically, the older you get, the less successful people are going to be to sleep on their sides or stomach because of hips and shoulders,” said one participant. “There is wear and tear that occurs there.”

How much do the best mattresses for side sleepers cost?

The mattresses we included in our best mattresses for side sleepers range from $1,599 to $2,374 for a queen-size mattress. Along with size, factors that affect a mattress’s cost include the materials used in its construction, certifications, and added features such as a cooling layer or pillow top, as well as extras offered by the brand. Extras can include free shipping, white-glove delivery (where a mattress is delivered directly to your bedroom), or a lifetime warranty. 

Table 2: Comparing mattress costs

How to save money on mattresses

Buying a new mattress can be a big investment. There are some ways you can save on your purchase. 

• Many manufacturers have sales, especially around holidays like Labor Day and Memorial Day. 
• It’s also common to find coupons, sale codes, and discounts on a manufacturer’s website. 
• Many also offer discounts for current or former members of the military, students, teachers, older adults, and other groups. 
• If you’re not buying direct from a manufacturer, stores often have floor models at a big discount.
• Most mattress manufacturers offer some kind of financing plan, which can be a better bargain than paying for a mattress with a credit card. 

It’s a good idea to research mattresses before you buy, so you can find the best mattress for the best price. Knowing what features you need and which you can live without can save you some money, too. 

Frequently asked questions

Questions? Reach out to reviewsteam@ncoa.org.