According to the experts at Sleep Foundation, around 60% of people sleep on their side. This makes it one of the most common sleeping positions. Now, while side sleeping offers many benefits like – back pain relief, less snoring, and better gut health, it can also cause many problems.

Regularly sleeping on the same side can increase shoulder pain neck pain as well as disrupt your posture. But you can easily get rid of these problems by choosing a good mattress designed for side sleepers.

These mattresses help you maintain proper spinal alignment and can improve your overall sleep quality. After consulting with five experts and trying out over 50 mattresses for comfort and other factors, we found the top choices for you. If you are looking for the best mattress for side sleepers, our guide will help you do just that. 

1. Tuft and Needle Original Mattress

Tuft and Needle Original Mattress
Best ForOverallBest Mattress for Side Sleepers
MaterialGel Foam
SizesFull, Twin, Twin XL, Queen, King and California King
ColorWhite
Special FeatureTemperature Regulating

If you prefer the convenience of fast and free shipping from Amazon, this affordable bed-in-a-box, made entirely of foam, is a great option. It arrives quickly and offers a medium-firm feel, which is slightly firmer than average. 

This makes it suitable for side sleepers who prefer some support without sacrificing comfort. The mattress consists of two foam layers, with a firm, supportive base layer and a softer foam layer on top for relieving pressure points.

Customers find it easy to set up and comfortable to sleep on. Many appreciate the friendly and helpful customer service provided by the brand. Side sleepers particularly enjoy the all-foam design, as it prevents them from feeling the springs found in traditional mattresses. Some long-term users report significantly reduced back pain compared to their previous mattresses. 

Pros
  • Supportive with pressure relief
  • CertiPUR-US certified
  • Easy to assemble
Cons
  • Might be too firm for some users

2. Sersper Hybrid Pillow Top Queen Mattress

Sersper Hybrid Pillow Top Queen Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers with Shoulder and Hip Pain
MaterialMemory Foam
SizesTwin, Full, Queen, and King 
ColorWhite/ Purple
Special FeatureBreathable and Pain-relieving

The Sersper Hybrid Pillow Top Queen Mattress is the best choice for side sleepers experiencing shoulder and hip pain. Engineered with a unique combination of heavier gauge steel independent pocket innerspring and soft comfort foam, it offers optimal support and medium firmness. It is crucial for alleviating pressure points in the shoulders and hips. 

The quilted jacquard cover enhances comfort while regulating body temperature, ensuring a cool and restful sleep. With its 5-zone motion isolation pocketed spring system and foam edge support, it minimizes motion transfer and promotes proper spinal alignment. Crafted in a century-old brand factory in North America, it meets rigorous quality standards. This product also comes with a hassle-free delivery process, a 100-night trial, and a 10-year limited warranty. 

Pros
  • 5-zone motion isolation
  • Pressure relieving foam
  • Fiberglass-free and skin-friendly 
Cons
  • Not suitable for skinny people

3. Purple Mattress

Purple Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers with Cushioning and Support
MaterialMemory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King
ColorWhite/ Purple
Special FeatureHypoallergenic

Purple offers a mattress designed to relieve pressure without feeling too soft. Its unique grid-shaped elastic material provides a cushioning yet firm feel, ensuring both support and breathability. This makes it ideal for side sleepers who need pressure relief without worrying about overheating during the night. 

Additionally, the GelFlex Grid, a signature feature of Purple mattresses, not only enhances ventilation but also minimizes motion transfer, making it suitable for couples. Beneath the grid layer, there are two foam layers. While this is the basic Purple model, there are options to upgrade with additional foam layers or to a hybrid version with coils.

Testers described the mattress as striking the perfect balance between softness and firmness. Some even likened the material to “sleeping on air” or “floating.” They appreciated its ability to conform to the body while remaining supportive. Reviewers also praised its motion isolation and breathability. 

Pros
  • Best cushioning and support
  • Maintain optimal temperature
  • Safe for people with allergies
Cons
  • Expensive compared to other options

4.Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress

Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers with Shoulder and Back Pain
MaterialGel Memory Foam
SizesFull, King, and California King
ColorLight Gray
Special FeaturePressure Relief

Casper’s plushest mattress features a unique design to ensure proper spinal alignment. It uses foam with contoured cut-outs to relieve pressure around the shoulders while providing targeted support for the lower back. This makes it suitable for side sleepers who require both softness and support.

The mattress consists of two layers of foam with airflow holes for ventilation. The top layer is plush, followed by a second layer that is soft around the shoulders and firmer in the middle. The third foam layer is ergonomically zoned for alignment, and the mattress is further supported by coils at the bottom as it is a hybrid.

While it’s a newer model, initial feedback has been positive. One user, who has owned it for over two years, praised its durability, considering it superior to other mattresses. Testers found it immediately comfortable and supportive.

Pros
  • Ergonomic design for correct alignment
  • Effective ventilation for airflow
  • Soft and plush with ample support
Cons
  • Customer service isn’t good

5. Dream Cloud Mattress

Dream Cloud Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers with Lower Back Pain
MaterialGel Memory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King
ColorWhite
Special FeaturePressure Relieving Layers and Low Motion Transfer

The Dream Cloud is a top choice for side sleepers dealing with lower back pain. Its luxurious gel memory foam layers provide optimal pressure relief and support. The 365-night trial ensures complete satisfaction, starting from delivery. 

Featuring a plush cashmere-blend cover and seven layers of comfort, including therapeutic gel memory foam, this mattress promotes spinal alignment and stability. Certified by CertiPUR-US for content and emissions, it’s free from harmful substances. 

Plus, the Forever Warranty guarantees long-term satisfaction, offering peace of mind. With its breathable design and low-motion transfer, the Dream Cloud mattress offers the perfect balance of comfort and support for side sleepers with lower back pain. 

Testers found this mattress to be quite comfortable as it helps to relieve back pain and offers complete spinal support. 

Pros
  • One-year trial period
  • Seven layers for comfort
  • Forever warranty
Cons
  • Edge support needs improvement

6. Sleep Innovations Marley

Sleep Innovations Marley
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain
MaterialGet Memory Foam
SizesTwin, Full, Queen, King and California King
ColorWhite
Special Feature10-year warranty

The Sleep Innovations Marley Mattress is great for side sleepers struggling with shoulder pain. Its medium-firm support, combined with cooling gel memory foam and an airflow channel, ensures a comfortable and refreshing sleep experience. 

The mattress’s triple-layer design, featuring a soft knit cover and pressure-relieving gel memory foam, provides optimal comfort and support in any sleep position. Designed to cater to every sleeper’s needs, it offers motion isolation and durable materials that maintain shape over time. 

Made in the USA and Mexico, this mattress is hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified, ensuring it’s free of harmful chemicals. With a 10-year warranty, Sleep Innovations guarantees quality and innovation. Overall, the Marley mattress delivers on its promise of comfort and support, making it the top choice for side sleepers seeking relief from shoulder pain. 

Pros
  • Cooling gel memory foam
  • Support for every sleeper
  • Offers soothing relief from pain
Cons
  • May sag a bit

7. Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress

Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Solo Side Sleepers
MaterialComfort Foam, Memory Foam, and Bonnell Coil
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King and California King
ColorWhite
Special FeaturePressure Relief, Breathable and Low Motion Transfer

This mattress is ideal for side sleepers seeking support and pressure relief on a tight budget. The Linenspa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress strikes the perfect balance between affordability and quality. It comes with a 2-inch memory foam layer for pressure relief and a 6-inch innerspring coil layer for support and durability.

The mattress comprises three layers, including a steel innerspring layer, a soft memory foam layer, and a quilted memory foam topper. Testers found the mattress to be just the right firmness, providing adequate support without excessive sinking. 

It offered good support for back and side sleepers, allowing for restful sleep throughout the night. However, it’s more suitable for solo sleepers due to noticeable sinking when sharing the bed. 

Pros
  • Value for money
  • Medium firm feel
  • 10-year warranty
Cons
  • Might start sagging in the center

8. Purple New Day Mattress

Purple New Day Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers with Support and Stability
MaterialGel Memory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King
ColorWhite
Special FeatureHypoallergenic

The Purple New Day Mattress is known for its innovative features, including the thick, supportive memory foam, gel layer grid, and foam supporting contours for added stability. Its unique design promotes airflow, addressing the common issue of overheating associated with full-foam mattresses. It is ideal for side sleepers who seek the contouring comfort of memory foam without the bounce of an innerspring mattress.

This mattress is constructed with the brand’s honeycomb-pattern gel grid patent design atop a 6-inch wide layer of sturdy memory foam. It is complemented by a strong edge support foam border to prevent excessive sinking.

Testers experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality with this mattress, reporting reduced awakenings at night time and waking up feeling refreshed without tension headaches or aches. The perfect blend of firmness and support ensured optimal contouring without excessive sinking. Follow-up assessment revealed minimal changes over time, with slight softening but no impact on sleep quality.

Pros
  • Cradles pressure points
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • Thinner compared to other mattresses

9. Novilla Mattress

Novilla Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers Dealing with Discomfort
MaterialGel Memory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King
ColorGreen
Special FeatureBreathable

The Novilla Mattress is an excellent choice for side sleepers seeking cool sleep and motion isolation, especially those dealing with discomfort. Constructed with a breathable combination, including a bamboo charcoal fiber-infused cover, it dissipates excess heat, ensuring a cooler sleep experience. 

The gel memory foam and egg foam layers enhance airflow, promoting comfortable sleep throughout the night. The 4-layer foam design provides pain relief by contouring to pressure points like hips and shoulders. 

Additionally, the mattress offers solid support and motion isolation, making it suitable for couples. Delivered conveniently in a box, it expands to its original size within 72 hours. Certified by CertiPUR-US and odor-free, it guarantees a healthy sleeping environment. Backed by a 10-year warranty and a 100-day free trial sleep period, Novilla ensures reliable customer care and satisfaction. 

Pros
  • Supportive motion isolation
  • Pain relief
  • Bamboo charcoal fiber cover
Cons
  • May be too firm for some users

10. Tuft and Needle Mint Mattress

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
Best ForBest Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain
MaterialGel Memory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King
ColorWhite
Special FeatureAdjustable, Removable and Durable

This mattress is designed for side sleepers seeking comfortable luxury and ample cushioning while still requiring adequate support. The Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress features 3 memory foam layers, offering a softer and more adaptive feel compared to many other foam mattresses. 

It’s selected as the top choice for plush comfort due to its ability to relieve pressure, promote cooling, and minimize motion transfer. Despite its plushness, a substantial layer of dense foam at the base ensures side sleepers receive the necessary stability and support.

It has three layers: an airy foam layer infused with a two inch gel-infused foam layer for relieving pressure, graphite for cooling, and a 6.5-inch foundational foam layer for support.

Testers found the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress to offer a supple, cushioning surface that conforms to the back while providing adequate support. It effectively reduced motion transfer, allowing for more restful sleep for people with back problems. The mattress proved comfortable in various sleeping positions, including the stomach and back.

Pros
  • Support for edge-of-bed sleepers
  • Offers cooling and comfort
  • Comes with an easy to clean cover
Cons
  • Very heavy mattress

11. SweetNight Breeze Mattress

SweetNight Breeze Mattress
Best ForBest Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers
MaterialGel Memory Foam
SizesTwin, Full, Queen, and King
ColorWhite Gray
Special FeatureHypoallergenic and Pressure Relief

The Sweetnight Breeze Mattress may not offer the luxury of a high-priced mattress delivered with white gloves, however it surprises with its comfort and convenience. It quickly expands to its optimal size after delivery without any unpleasant odors, offering a comfortable sleep surface. Despite its box packaging, it boasts a thicker than typical profile at 12 inches and features multiple layers of foam for enhanced comfort.

It is ideal for side sleepers seeking comfort along with the convenience and affordability of a mattress-in-a-box. This mattress comprises 3 memory foam layers, a 3.5-inch ventilated foam layer, a 3-inch gel-infused foam layer, and a 5.5-inch foam with a high density layer for support.

Testers were pleased with the comfort and caliber of the Sweetnight Breeze mattress both in the beginning and after a few months of use. It effectively molded the body, alleviating neck pain and back stiffness. The mattress maintained its shape without leaving indentations even after prolonged use. Testers found it to be durable and long-lasting, outperforming some more costly luxury mattresses in terms of both comfort and durability.

Pros
  • Keeps body properly aligned
  • Certipur-US Certified foam
  • 10 year limited warranty
Cons
  • The cooling layer needs improvement

12. Purple Restore Mattress

Purple Restore Mattress
Best ForBest Durable Mattress for Side Sleepers
MaterialMemory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King and Split King
ColorWhite and Purple
Special FeatureDurable

The original Purple Restore Mattress offers the perfect balance of pressure relief for side sleeping and supportive comfort for back sleepers. Its thinner gel grid provides contouring while ensuring stability, keeping the spine aligned in various sleeping positions. In the firm option, the mattress combines a supple surface that has ample support, thanks to its unique grid design.

Being a hybrid purple mattress, the Restore shares similarities with other models in its top layers, focusing on temperature regulation and pressure relief. However, its bottom half differs, prioritizing plush comfort over zoned aid for the lumbar area. The coil layer emphasizes airflow and spinal alignment.

Testers found this mattress to cradle the body effectively, regardless of sleep position, offering optimal softness and support without feeling too squishy or resistant. It provided remarkable relief for lumbar pain, eliminating the need for additional pillows under the knees to align the spine. Testers experienced improved sleep quality, waking up feeling refreshed with reduced muscle stiffness and joint pain.

Pros
  • Outstanding pressure relief
  • Draws excess heat away
  • No sinking or sagging
Cons
  • Can be too soft for some users

13. Casper Sleep Original Hybrid Mattress

Casper Sleep Original Hybrid Mattress
Best ForBest Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers
MaterialMemory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King
ColorLight Gray
Special FeatureBreathable

While preferences for mattress firmness vary, experts agree that most side sleepers benefit from a firmer surface. The Casper Sleep Original Hybrid Mattress strikes a balance by offering firm support without compromising comfort. Its design incorporates two layers of foam for airflow and cushioning, along with wrapped innerspring bordered by firm edge support.

It features a layer of ventilated foam for cooling, contouring foam zones for pressure point relief, and a covering of wrapped innerspring for firm support.

Testers praised the consistent support provided by this mattress, ensuring comfortable alignment throughout the night. It effectively minimized motion transfer, offering a secure and supportive sleep surface. Two months post-testing, no deterioration in quality was observed, with testers still enjoying restful sleep on the mattress. 

Pros
  • Ergonomic alignment
  • Soft and comfortable
  • 10-year limited warranty
Cons
  • Size can run a bit small

14. Linenspa Mattress Topper

Linenspa Mattress Topper
Best ForBest Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers
MaterialMemory Foam
SizesTwin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Short Queen, King, California King and Small Single
ColorLight Blue
Special FeaturePressure Relieving

The Linenspa 2-inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper is the perfect solution for side sleepers seeking enhanced comfort and pressure relief. Made with plush gel-infused memory foam, this topper conforms to your body’s curves, providing personalized support and a cozy sleep experience. 

The cooling gel infusion helps regulate temperature, ensuring you stay cool and comfortable throughout the night. With multiple profile options available, including a plush 2-inch or even plusher 3-inch profile, you can choose the level of comfort that best suits your preferences. Setting up this topper is easy – simply unroll it and watch it expand fully within 24-48 hours. 

Plus, with CertiPUR-US certification, you can trust in the quality and longevity of this mattress topper. Overall, the Linenspa Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper is the ideal choice for side sleepers looking to upgrade their sleeping experience with added cushioning and support.

Pros
  • Cooling gel infused memory foam
  • Available in 2-inch and 3-inch profile
  • 3-year limited warranty
Cons
  • Smell is not good

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers?

Here are some important factors you need to consider when selecting the best mattress for side sleepers:

1. Mattress Type

The first thing you need to consider is the type of mattress. Memory foam provides pressure relief but can retain heat, innerspring mattresses, however, allow for more breathability but less yielding. Hybrid and latex mattresses blend support and bounce, providing a good compromise.

2. Comfort and Pressure Relief

Look for a mattress with a luxurious upper layer to alleviate pressure points on shoulders and hips and maintain spinal alignment.

3. Firmness Levels

You also need to check the firmness level when looking for the best mattress for side sleepers. Opt for a medium to medium-firm mattress, although personal preference matters more than scientific evidence. Finding a softer option that still offers support is acceptable.

4. Durability

Consider construction quality and materials, seeking feedback from long-term owners to gauge longevity.

5. Motion Transfer

Foam, latex, and individually wrapped coil innerspring mattresses are better at isolating movement. They are good for light sleepers or those sharing a bed.

6. Warranty

Make sure your mattress has a return window and warranty. Look for longer warranties to safeguard against premature sagging or defects.

7. Cost

While mattresses vary widely in price, remember that quality doesn’t always correlate with expense. Many mid-range options offer excellent durability at a reasonable price.

What type of mattress is best for side sleepers?

The best mattress for side sleepers contains latex or foam components. These types of mattresses provide the right balance of comfort and support that side sleepers require.

What firmness level is best for side sleepers?

Opting for a plush or medium-firm mattress is generally more suitable for side sleepers.

Is a hard or soft mattress better for side sleepers?

Side sleepers generally find softer mattresses more suitable compared to those who sleep on their back or stomach. 

How thick should a side sleeper mattress be?

As a side sleeper, you’ll probably find that a mattress between 12 and 14 inches thick offers the additional cushioning you require.

Conclusion

Side sleepers often benefit from mattresses that alleviate pressure on their shoulders and hips while promoting spinal alignment. Various mattress types, such as latex, hybrids, and gel models with medium firmness, are suitable for individuals who favor this sleeping position. 

You can choose the best mattress for side sleepers from any of these 13+ top picks by expert testers. Remember, testing out different mattresses before making a final decision is advisable, especially considering that some companies offer risk-free trial periods. 

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