What Is The Best Mattress For Side Sleepers

Serta Perfect Sleeper Willow Brook Plush Pillow Top

As the official mattress of the National Sleep Foundation, the Serta Perfect Sleeper Willow Brook Plush Pillow Top is ranked as a best side sleeper mattress. This mattress provides unparalleled luxury with a layer of PillowSoft HD Foam for incredibly plush surface comfort. One night on this mattress will have you sleeping like a baby thanks to the specialized foams, engineered fibers and premium stretch fabric that cradles your body from head to toe.

What Mattress Firmness Is Best For Heavy Sleepers

We measure mattress firmness using a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most beds sold today fall between 3 and 8 .

Firmness preferences are subjective, but weve found most heavy people sleep comfortably on medium firm and firm mattresses. With these models, the materials provide some body-contouring and pressure relief but the body wont sink too much. An extra firm feel may be the better option for those who want a flush, practically non-conforming sleep surface.

In addition to body type, our research shows sleep position is another factor that can affect which firmness you prefer. If youre a side sleeper, youll probably need more cushioning to align your spine and alleviate pressure, whereas back and stomach sleepers need less padding and more support to avoid lower back and hip pain.

A Closer Look At Our Selection Process

In evaluating our best mattresses for side sleepers, we put additional emphasis on two testing categories that are especially important to those who sleep on their side: spine alignment and pressure relief. Heres a look at how our picks performed in the Mattress Advisor Sleep Lab:

Note: Testing scores for the Bear Pro are coming soon.

Also Check: What Inch Mattress Should I Get

Best Cooling: Cocoon By Sealy Chill Hybrid Mattress

If youre waking up repeatedly during the night to kick off your comforter, strip off pajama layers, or mop up the pool of sweat you find yourself lying in, youre probably overheating too much at night. And while changing your bedding and pajamas might help with this a little bit, if your mattress is constructed to retain heat, youre going to fight this same battle every night no matter what.

Enter the Cocoon Chill mattress by Sealy, which has two main goals: to cradle your pressure points and keep you cool at night. Sealy has infused the top layer of this memory foam mattress with something called phase change material so it absorbs and eliminates heat rather than retaining it. This means the mattress actually feels cool to the touch and that youll feel cooler as you sleep. So long, night sweats!

You get 100 days to try this mattress to see if you love it, a 10-year warranty, and easy-peasy delivery in a convenient box. FYI, the mattress comes in two levels of firmness, but we recommend the medium-soft for side sleepers.

Price at time of publication: $1,239

Beautyrest Pressuresmart Lux Pillow Top

Another great mattress option for side sleepers is the Beautyrest PressureSmart Lux Pillow Top. This bed features PressureSmart Gel Memory foam which delivers up to 21% more pressure relief* from the moment you lie down, reducing tossing and turning for a more restful night’s sleep. You will also enjoy a layer of InfiniCoolTM Surface that is directly below the quilt and helps dissipate heat and moisture to create the ideal sleep temperature. This is a top mattress pick for side sleepers that are looking for ample pressure relief and cooling technology.

Also Check: How To Purchase A New Mattress

What Mattress Types Are The Best For Side Sleepers

Unfortunately, theres no easy answer to this question! The best mattress for side sleepers is mostly a matter of personal preference. That said, your preferences can help guide you to the right mattress for you. For instance, side sleepers who like a bouncy bed might want to look at a hybrid or innerspring mattress. People who like to sink deep into their mattress might consider an option with memory foam or thick foam layers. And people who want a mattress made from natural materials might prefer latex options.

What Mattress Is Best For Side Sleepers Who Have Back Pain

We think the Leesa Original is the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain. This all-foam mattress is constructed with breathable memory foam and high-density polyfoam, giving it a nice balance of pressure-relieving comfort and support. Additionally, this mattress can help back and side sleepers maintain their spinal alignment throughout the night, which can reduce back pain!

Recommended Reading: Where Are Idle Sleep Mattresses Made

Are Mattress Toppers Good For Back And Hip Pain

If you suffer from back ache and suspect it could be caused by your mattress, it could just take adding a mattress topper to help relieve the pain. Side sleepers, for instance, should be properly supported along the spine and at the pressure points, something a memory foam topper can help with.

If youâre sinking too much into your mattress, that can push your spine out of alignment, so a firmer topper will help even straighten things out. The same is true for a mattress that is too firm, which can quickly cause soreness. A mattress topper with a softer surface, such as a plush top, will soon transform your sleep and make it less painful at pressure points too.

If your pain is severe or persistent then check with a healthcare professional, who should be able to advise you further.

What Materials Are Best For Mattresses For Side Sleepers

Dr. Baxi says either all-foam or hybrid mattresses can work for side sleepers, providing their firmness suits you. Where the former solely consists of layers of memory foam, the latter features both foam and a system of innerspring coils. Naturally, theyll have a different feel from each other. Memory foam mattresses usually feel softer than mattresses with springs. They help with motion isolation, which is great if you share your bed with someone, but they also tend to trap body heat, which is not so great if you share your bed with someone .

Hybrid mattresses, particularly ones with pocketed coils, contour to your body weight without letting you sink into the bed, which is great if youre looking for cushioning and pressure point relief. They also have a little more to offer in the way of temperature regulation.

With these general recommendations in mind, weve highlighted some of the highest-quality mattresses for side sleepers on the market right now, from luxurious retailers like Saatva and beloved bed-in-a-box brands like Casper, Nolah, and DreamCloud . Read on to find a the best mattress for a good nights sleepzero joint pain or lower back pain included.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Don’t Miss: Best Pillow To Sleep On

What Is The Best Mattress For Side Sleepers

Memory foam mattresses are the best type of mattress for side sleepers, as the foam comfortably compresses around shoulders, arms and hips. Memory foam mattresses are usually softer than spring mattresses, and the foam absorbs the energy from the tossing and turning side sleepers sometimes experience. However, there are many types of mattresses that can suit side sleepers, including spring and hybrid mattresses, in addition to memory foam mattresses.

What mattress firmness is best for side sleepers?

The recommended mattress firmness for side sleepers is soft to medium-soft. If you sleep on your side, you may find many traditional mattresses are too firm and cause your arms to go numb. A softer mattress will allow your arm and shoulder to sink in more and provide more pressure relief on those areas. If you find that soft mattresses dont provide enough lower back support or proper spinal alignment, you can opt for medium firmness and consider a pillow-top for the added shoulder comfort.

What is the best mattress for side sleepers with lower back pain?

While softer mattresses are often recommended for side sleepers, those with back pain might require extra support. Some experts say medium firmness mattresses, especially those with memory foam, are the best bet for side sleepers with chronic back pain. Hybrid models can also provide additional support while eliminating pressure points on shoulders and hips.

Trial Period And Warranty

One of the biggest challenges of buying a mattress online is not being able to try it out first. And companies completely understand that. Thats why many offer generous trial periodssome for as long as a yearto try out your new investment and make sure its the right fit. When picking your mattress, be sure to review the brands trial period and procedure before making your purchase.

Youll also want to make sure your mattress has a warranty that covers defects or premature wear for at least five years.

Read Also: Is Nectar Mattress Too Soft

How Firm Should A Mattress Be For A Side Sleeper

Medium-soft to medium firmness provides pressure relief in the shoulders and hips and just enough support without feeling too stiff. Side sleepers have more pressure points than other sleepers, like back sleepers. However, mattress firmness usually varies by body weight. Weight causes mattresses to sink, so more weight requires more support, which may mean a firmer mattress.

What Mattress Features Are Important For Side Sleepers

Due to added pressure put on the shoulders and hips, there are special considerations that side sleepers should keep in mind when shopping for a mattress. You have unique needs as a side sleeper and you should allow those needs to drive your mattress search. Mattress companies can often use misleading terminology, or exaggerate some of the benefits of unique features. Dont buy into the hype and take your time to find the right option.

Weve put together a quick list of the most important elements of a mattress for side sleepers. These points are based off of our years of product testing, mattress research, and sleeping on different beds as side sleepers ourselves.

Keep these factors at the top of your mind while youre shopping for a mattress and youll be on track to find a great mattress match.

Tester lying on their side to test for pressure relief

Recommended Reading: How To Know If I Need A New Mattress

Our Firmness Scale And The Ideal Range For Side Sleepers

We rate all the beds we test on a 10-point firmness scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. Based on our scale, the ideal firmness for side sleepers is generally between 3 and 7, with most side sleepers preferring a medium soft to medium firm mattress.

The side sleepers on our testing team who weigh under 130 pounds usually favor models on the softer end of this range. Firmer models often do not mold to their hips and shoulders enough to relieve pressure or promote good posture.

Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds tend to get the best balance of cradling and support from models close to the center of the range, while most of our team members who weigh over 230 pounds prefer firmer options to prevent their hips and shoulders from sagging.

Best Luxury Mattress For Side Sleepers

The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed is designed for couples with different comfort preferences thanks to the 20 firmness levels independently adjustable on each side.

Pros: Automatic air adjustments based on sleeping position, built-in sleep tracker, white-glove delivery included, good edge support, 20 firmness options make it ideal for all sleeping styles

Cons: Poor heat dissipation, poor motion isolation, tough to move

What do you do if you and your partner have different firmness preferences? Get an adjustable airbed. The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed is the best I’ve tested with features you won’t find in others.

There are 20 firmness options, or “Sleep Numbers.” Each side is independently adjustable so you can have a softer experience , while your partner chooses something firmer .

The adjustable air option in the SleepIQ app automatically adjusts the firmness of the 360 i8 Smart Bed as you shift positions to provide you with consistent comfort and pressure relief.

The app also collects data about your sleep habits to give you personalized advice for improving your sleep. However, I found the SleepIQ app’s sleep data wasn’t as accurate as my Garmin Forerunner 945 smartwatch, but Tempur-Pedic is constantly making tweaks to improve the app. I noticed minor improvements during the month I tested the bed.

Read Also: What Mattress Does The Bellagio Hotel Use

Is A Softer Mattress Better For Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need extra pressure relief at the hips and shoulders, the areas that have the deepest compression when sleeping in this position. A softer mattress has enough give to prevent too much pressure buildup. However, a mattress thats too soft can sink under your weight, throwing your spine out of alignment. A medium-soft to medium mattress is a good middle ground that combines some plushness with enough support.

How To Sleep On Your Side Comfortably

The right mattress can help you sleep on your side while providing soft comfort and contour support for pressure points. Though firmness is certainly a preference, we recommend soft to medium mattresses for side sleepers. A firm mattress is least likely to offer comfort and will often cause you to wake up with pain in the morning.

To stay comfortable on your side at night, you might consider placing a pillow between your knees. This can help align your spine and offer hip relief. In addition, using a pillow that keeps your neck level at night will further boost your comfort.

If you sleep on your side with your knees curled up towards your body, youre actually curving your spine. While a good mattress can still support your pressure points, try to sleep in a slightly more elongated position to keep your spine straighterespecially if you wake up in pain.

Make sure to also get a mattress thats large enough for you, especially if you share it with a partner. The best queen size mattresses are perfect for any home so you can enjoy quality sleep for decades.

Don’t Miss: How Much Is A Single Mattress

Mattress Toppers For Side Sleepers

If you dont want to purchase a brand new mattress yet, dont worry! You can easily extend the life of your current bed with a mattress topper. Some toppers make mattresses feel firmer, while others make them softer. Most side sleepers, though, will want something that provides soft cushioning and pressure relief.

The Saatva mattress topper has 3 of graphite-infused memory foam. This material not only keeps sleepers cool at night, it also alleviates pain on pressure points! This topper will make a bed feel 2.5 points softer, so its great for side sleepers who need relief along their shoulders and hips.

The Amerisleep Comfort mattress topper is another great choice for side sleepers. This 3 topper features HIVE technology, which means it feels firmer in some areas and softer in others. Its slow-moving memory foam feel is especially great for those who want some additional body contouring from their mattress.

Ideal Side Sleeping Position

Before we dive into mattress recommendations it’s important to talk through what goes into ideal side sleeping and what your main goals should be with your posture.

Side sleeping is very popular but it’s a position that can require a lot of fine-tuning to get right.

• Keep your spine straight and level with the mattress surface – this ensures your spine is in a natural and neutral position free of twisting or flexing that causes stress to muscles and joints over extended periods of time.
• Pay attention to your pillow height – Commonly side sleepers are using a pillow that is too thin, causing a bend in their neck, and sometimes a pulling effect on your spine and cause back and shoulder problems
• Make sure your lower back is supported – A common complaint of light-weight side sleepers or people sleeping on a firm mattress where you’re not getting support due to poor contouring ability of the mattress.
• Keep your hips vertical and free of twisting or rocking – keeping your hips vertical with the high side of your hip directly above the lower side ensures minimal stress on your lower back.

Don’t Miss: Which Mattress Is Better Spring Or Foam

Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress

The Leesa Sapira Hybrid mattress combines gentle foams with pocketed coils for a one-two punch of pressure relief and support. Back sleepers who like a more responsive mattress should be really happy on the Leesa Sapira.

Side sleepers need pressure relief around their shoulders and hips, but memory foam mattresses that offer lots of contouring around pressure points can trap a lot of heat. A hybrid mattress, like the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, can offer the necessary pressure relief while maintaining a cooler temperature, as coils allow for more airflow within the bed. This hybrid mattress has a soft knit blend cover, polyurethane foams, and pocketed coils.

Other Important Checks To Make When Choosing A Mattress Topper For Side Sleepers

Not only the properly chosen type of mattress topper and firmness make the best mattress topper for a side sleeper. You still need to consider other factors to ensure the model you choose will work as you expect it to.

So, I will list these important factors for you below.

• Thermoregulation. Hot sleeping is a common issue among side sleepers, so your mattress topper should be able to withdraw excess body heat. Even though the traditional polyurethane-based memory foam has great pressure-relieving effects, its still a low-rebound material that can retain some body heat and make falling asleep more difficult . To avoid that, look for foams with an open-cell structure or those infused with cooling gel or copper. But, if your budget allows, go for natural latex toppers that sleep much cooler than any foam.

Some manufacturers suggest you air out the topper for 1224 hours before sleeping on it. This can help decrease the odor as well.

Read Also: What Company Makes Beautyrest Mattresses