Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Many mattresses are constructed with materials that make them comfortable for side sleeping, but the Helix Midnight is one of the only mattresses on the market designed specifically with this position in mind. If you frequently switch between your right and left sides while you sleep due to shoulder pain or stiffness, the Midnight provides the balance of give and support to ensure you’ll be comfortable staying in one position.

How It Performed

Our testers felt the Helix Midnight mattress had a medium firm (6) feel with impressive pressure point relief. The adaptive foams contoured closely to our bodies, cushioning our high-impact areas and preventing aches and pains. The Midnight’s mixed-foam design provides the best combination of relief and support for side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds.

We found that edge support is another area where the Midnight performed well. The coil base has a reinforced perimeter, which kept us well-supported as we sat on and lied near the edges. This increases the sleepable surface area of the bed and works to prevent sagging along the perimeter over time.

What It’s Made of

The comfort system begins with a layer of adaptive Memory Plus foam, followed by a second layer of high-grade polyfoam that provides ergonomic support. Individually wrapped coils make up the support core, reducing sagging in the midsection and bolstering the edges. A base layer of DuraDense foam works behind the scenes to enhance the overall support and durability. A polyester cover engineered to enhance cooling encases the mattress.

Helix offers 100 nights to try out the Midnight, with a 30-day break-in period. The mattress is covered by a 10-year warranty, and Helix ships free to customers in all 50 states.

The Nectar is a high-quality memory foam mattress with an approachable price-point. This makes it suitable for buyers on a budget and high-end shoppers alike.

How It Performed

We found that the Nectar provides a very balanced sleep experience. The thick memory foam comfort layer contoured to our bodies and cradled our sensitive pressure point areas, but the bed’s medium firm (6) feel and sturdy support layers kept us from sinking excessively or feeling too “hugged.” As a result, we believe that the Nectar should feel comfortable for anyone who sleeps on their side and enjoys the cloud-like feel of sleeping “in” — rather than sleeping “on” — their mattress. If you don’t like this “in the bed” feeling, we recommend looking for a bouncier mattress with latex in its comfort system.

Since the Nectar is medium firm, we believe it’s best for people who weigh at least 130 pounds. With contouring foam that doesn’t sink in too deeply, the mattress kept good air circulation around our bodies and did not retain too much heat. The mattress also includes phase change material meant to regulate temperature throughout the night. We found that the Nectar’s combination of foam layers provide top-notch motion isolation and pressure point relief, and the mattress aced all of our motion isolation tests.

What It’s Made of

The Nectar begins with a gel-infused memory foam comfort layer that adapts to the body to relieve pressure. A transitional polyfoam layer adds support under the contouring memory foam, and it helps keep your weight evenly distributed. The polyfoam base layer offers stability and support to the midsection to prevent uncomfortable sagging. A polyester, nylon, and polyethylene cover encases the entire mattress.

Nectar ships free to customers in the contiguous U.S. The company also offers a generous 365-night sleep trial, giving you a full year to try the mattress. The mattress is covered by a lifetime warranty against structural defects.

Side sleepers generally don’t feel comfortable on innersprings compared to other mattress types. This is because most innersprings contain thin foam layers that offer little to no cushioning for the shoulders, lower back, and hips. We’ve found that the Saatva Classic is unlike these traditional innersprings, as it uses a layer of pocketed minicoils to provide pressure relief. If you’re looking for a high-end model with a thoughtful design, we recommend the Saatva.

How It Performed

The mattress is available in three firmness levels, including a soft (3) option that was popular among our side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds and a medium firm (6) for those who weigh more. If you sleep on your side and need extra support, you can opt for a firm (8) feel instead. You can also select a profile of 11.5 inches with 4-inch base coils or 14.5 inches with 7-inch base coils. We found that the latter offers more reinforcement and springiness on the surface, making it a better option if you need a bit more support or anyone who appreciates a little extra bounce.

The dual coil layers reinforced the perimeter to keep us from sinking when we slept near the edges or got on and off the mattress. We noted a responsive feel that was easy to move across, which should appeal to couples who prefer a bouncy feel for sex. The coils also allowed air circulation throughout the interior to keep the mattress cool, while the breathable organic cotton cover wicked moisture away from our bodies. Even by innerspring standards, we found that the Saatva Classic slept exceptionally cool.

What It’s Made of

The mattress features a Euro-top containing polyfoam and soft fibers to give the surface a plush, comfortable feel. Underneath is a memory foam lumbar pad that cushions the lower back and hips to help alleviate pressure buildup. A transitional layer of pocketed minicoils cradle pressure points while supporting the body and adding responsiveness. A support core with sturdy, recycled-steel hourglass coils delivered excellent support regardless of which firmness level you choose. A breathable organic cotton cover encases the mattress.

Saatva provides free White Glove delivery throughout the contiguous U.S. This service includes scheduled delivery date and time, full mattress assembly in a room of your choosing, and complimentary haul-away for your old mattress and box spring. Each purchase comes with a generous 365-night sleep trial for testing out the Saatva Classic and deciding whether it’s right for you, as well as a lifetime warranty if you decide to keep the mattress.

The DreamCloud Mattress is a foam hybrid mattress that excelled in multiple performance categories during our testing. We found that the bed’s strong balance of contouring and support makes this mattress a comfortable choice for a wide variety of sleepers.

How It Performed

We rated the DreamCloud at medium firm (6), as it offered adequate cushioning to the shoulders, hips, and other areas where pressure tends to build up during sleep. The polyfoam and coil system provided enough support for sleepers who require some firmness. Though our hot-sleeping testers found that the memory foam may run too warm, the coils should enable enough air circulation to prevent excessive overheating. The mattress also earned higher-than-average marks in motion isolation for a hybrid, so we recommend it if you share the bed with a partner.

What It’s Made of

The mattress begins with a breathable cashmere-blend cover that’s been quilted with soft polyfoam. This produces a plush surface that contoured closely to our bodies. Next is a memory foam layer infused with a cooling gel meant to minimize body heat retention. A transition layer made with polyfoam also provided moderate contouring, but it was firm enough to prevent our bodies from sinking too deeply. The pocketed coil system offers excellent support, with reinforced edges to enhance support around the perimeter.

DreamCloud ships mattresses for free within the contiguous U.S. The company offers a generous 365-night sleep trial, during which you can test and return the mattress after a required 30-day break-in period. A lifetime warranty against structural defects backs mattress purchases.

The WinkBed is a standout hybrid available in a wide range of firmness levels. Our testers noted excellent cushioning for the shoulders and hips, and many found it promoted proper spinal alignment. This should reduce back pain for virtually any sleeper, regardless of body type. The plush surface makes this model an especially good fit for side sleepers in all weight categories, and the strong motion isolation caters to couples.

How It Performed

The WinkBed comes in four firmness levels, corresponding to medium soft (4), medium firm (6), firm (7), and firm (8) on our firmness scale. The medium soft model was particularly popular among those who weighed less than 130 pounds. The foam layers contour closely to improve spinal alignment and cushion areas along the spine prone to pressure buildup, such as the shoulders and hips. The medium firm and firm models felt most comfortable for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, while those over 230 pounds preferred the firmest model, known as the WinkBed Plus.

The WinkBed excelled in our motion isolation tests, thanks to the thick foam layers that absorb movement and reduce motion transfer significantly. The pocketed coils move independently from one another, generating less responsiveness than traditional innerspring coils. Co-sleepers should experience few — if any — sleep disruptions thanks to these two components. Our testers barely noticed each other’s movements during our shared partner sleep tests.

What It’s Made of

The WinkBed is wrapped in a breathable Tencel cover, with layers of gel-infused polyfoam and SupportCell polyfoam quilted into a Euro-top. The polyfoam provides some cushioning and contouring to relieve pressure, while the gel infusion helps draw excess heat away. The medium soft option has an additional layer of polyfoam, acting as a buffer to keep you from sinking into the bed’s core.

The support core consists of zoned, individually wrapped coils. The zones ensure extra support under the midsection and a more accommodating feel for lighter areas of your body. The perimeter of the bed is reinforced, providing standout support around the edges and increasing the usable surface of the mattress.

The WinkBed ships free to the contiguous U.S. The mattress is backed by a 120-night sleep trial that has a 30-night adjustment period before you can initiate a return. It is also covered by a lifetime warranty

If you’re in the market for a mattress that offers substantial pressure relief without sacrificing support, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a worthwhile option. The hybrid model comes in three firmness options, and the Signature Hybrid — Soft proved ideal for cradling areas of painful pressure buildup such as the shoulders and hips.

How It Performed

The above-average plushness of the Signature Hybrid can be beneficial if you sleep on your side or weigh less than 130 pounds. It caters to sleepers who want a mattress that contours closely to alleviate pressure while still receiving support for the midsection from the coil base.

Like many other mattresses with softer feels, the mattress excels in absorbing movement and noise. If you’re frequently disturbed by your partner’s nightly movement, we highly recommend this pick. The Signature Hybrid also earned high rankings in our temperature control tests. The coils generate steady airflow to cool off the interior, and a gel infusion in the TitanFlex foam layer absorbs and releases body heat to help the surface stay comfortable.

What It’s Made of

The Signature Hybrid — Soft begins a fabric cover quilted with polyfoam for a cushioned surface, followed by a layer of TitanFlex foam engineered to be more responsive than traditional memory foam. Next is a transition layer made from VariFlex foam that ensures even weigh distribution. The support core consists of pocketed coils over a high-density polyfoam base layer. The coils are reinforced along the perimeter, providing pushback and minimizing sinkage when you get in and out of bed.

The Signature Hybrid not only carries an affordable price-point, but also qualifies for free ground shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. Brooklyn Bedding offers a wide range of sizes for the mattress, including a split California king for couples who use adjustable beds and several RV-friendly options. Each order comes with a 120-night sleep trial and 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

If you’re a side sleeper who also tends to overheat in bed, finding a comfortable mattress that offers adequate cushioning without feeling excessively warm can be challenging. The Layla Hybrid nicely balances contouring and cooling thanks to breathable foam layers and steady air circulation through the coil system. As a flippable mattress with medium soft (4) and firm (7) surfaces, the hybrid also accommodates most side sleepers regardless of how much they weigh.

How It Performed

During our hands-on tests, we evaluated both sides of the Layla Hybrid. Side sleepers on our team weighing less than 130 pounds preferred the softer side for its close contouring and cushioning around the shoulders and hips. Those weighing more than 230 pounds received sufficient support on the firm side. For those between 130 and 230 pounds, both sides felt comfortable. Our back and stomach sleepers largely preferred the firm side.

We noticed that each surface performed well in areas where the opposite side fell short. Pressure relief and motion isolation were major strengths of the medium soft side, while the firm side earned higher ratings for edge support and ease of movement. Temperature control was one area where both sides excelled. We detected little to no heat buildup on either surface.

What It’s Made of

The Layla Hybrid’s softer side begins with 2.5 inches of memory foam, followed by a 2-inch transitional polyfoam layer. This surface contours deeply to cradle your body and alleviate pressure along the spine, but the transitional layer is zoned to prevent uncomfortable sinkage beneath your midsection. The firmer side includes the same materials, but the layers are thinner to create a more supportive feel with moderate conforming. Copper infusions in the memory foam layers are intended to offset heat absorption and help you stay cool.

Pocketed coils between the foam layers provide support and stability to both sides of the mattress. Extra reinforcement along the perimeter prevents you from sinking too much when lying near the edges or getting in and out of bed. At 104 pounds in a queen size, the Layla Hybrid is fairly hefty and may require two or more people to lift and flip when you want to change the firmness. Robust carrying handles on each side aid with this process. A stretchy polyester, rayon, viscose, and poly-lycra cover encases the mattress. You can remove and machine wash this cover to keep your sleep surface hygienic.

The Layla Hybrid is competitively priced, and standard ground shipping is free for orders in the contiguous U.S. Layla’s sleep trial runs for 120 nights. If you choose to keep the mattress, you’ll also receive a manufacturer’s warranty covering structural defects for up to 10 years.

The Nolah Evolution 15 is a hybrid mattress that alleviates pressure and provides sturdy support, making it particularly great if you have trouble maintaining healthy sleep posture. Multiple firmness options also make the mattress accessible to many body types. This mattress has high-quality materials and features that may be a worthwhile investment for those who primarily or occasionally use the side position.

How It Performed

The Evolution 15’s foam hybrid construction provides a supportive and cushioning surface that helps alleviate pressure. The mattress is available in three firmness levels: medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8). The side sleepers on our team weighing less than 230 pounds preferred the medium, while those over 230 pounds preferred the medium firm.

The mattress has significant edge support thanks to its reinforced perimeter. We were able to lie close to the perimeter and sit along the edge to tie our shoes without sinking. The zoned configuration also ensured our hips and shoulders didn’t sink too deeply into the mattress. Like other hybrids with cooling comfort layers, the Evolution 15 also offers excellent temperature control.

What It’s Made of

The comfort system is made from four polyfoam layers that each have a different purpose, starting with a quilted polyfoam Euro-top infused with Nolah’s ArcticTex, a material intended to help you stay cool. The next layer, a proprietary foam called AirFoamICE, is infused with graphite and designed to regulate temperature. The bottommost layer is resilient and provides a comfortable transition between the core and other comfort layers. The Evolution 15’s pocketed coil support core sits atop a polyfoam base. The pocketed coils have a zoned configuration, so you’ll feel more reinforcement in pressure-prone areas like your hips.

The Evolution comes in six standard sizes, as well as a split king for adjustable beds. Nolah ships the Evolution for free to shoppers who live in the contiguous U.S. The mattress is backed with an optional 120-night sleep trial and lifetime limited warranty.

The Bear Elite Hybrid is a well-balanced mattress that combines foam’s cushioning with the strong support of pocketed coils. The mixed-foam comfort system relieves pressure, making this an ideal model if you frequently wake up with aches and pains.

How It Performed

The mattress comes in three firmness options that appeal to different sleepers, depending on your body type and sleep preference. The medium (5) has the plushest feel and appeals to side and back sleepers up to 130 pounds. The medium firm (6) strikes an even balance of cushioning and support that is most beneficial to side and back sleepers up to 230 pounds. The firm (8) model is best suited for back and stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.

Hot sleepers on our team found this bed very comfortable, thanks to the strong ventilation through the coils. The cover is also engineered to wick away moisture and maintain a neutral surface temperature. As a result, our heat guns detected minimal heat retention on the surface. We also recommend the mattress to couples who prioritize responsiveness for sex. The coils create a bouncy feel that was easy for our testers to move across.

What It’s Made of

The mattress begins with a quilted cover and a memory foam layer that adapts closely to your body. Beneath is a layer of polyfoam that further promotes contouring but has a firmer feel to prevent the body from sinking into the support core. The core is composed of zoned pocketed coils that offer strong support but also respond to the body for gentle pressure relief. The cover is made from a Celliant-blend fabric infused with phase change material designed to keep the surface cool.

Bear offers a 120-night sleep trial for customers to try out the mattress, during which you can return it anytime after a 30-night break-in period. A lifetime warranty protects the Bear Elite Hybrid against structural defects. Shipping is free to the contiguous U.S.

Leesa specializes in mattresses with foam layers. Thanks to its deep comfort system, the Leesa Original Hybrid stood out during our pressure relief and motion isolation tests – two performance areas where hybrids often struggle. We recommend this mattress to co-sleepers who need a well-rounded bed that serves divergent sleep needs.

How It Performed

During our hands-on tests, the Original Hybrid proved most comfortable and supportive for side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds and back and stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. That said, the mattress earned ratings of “good” or better across most body weight and sleep position groups.

Temperature control is another major strength of the Original Hybrid. A breathable cover and steady airflow through the coil layer help the mattress stay cool. Couples should also appreciate the mattress thanks to its above-average motion isolation. Meanwhile, the sturdy perimeter can benefit anyone with mobility issues who struggles when getting out of their bed.

What It’s Made of

The Original Hybrid has a medium firm (6) feel. A comfort system featuring memory foam over adaptive polyfoam creates close yet even contouring from head to toe. The balanced feel ensures side sleepers receive ample cushioning around the shoulders and hips, where people who use this position tend to experience pressure buildup.

The support core contains pocketed coils and a high-density foam base. The coils are reinforced along the edges to reduce sinkage and help you feel stable when lying near or sitting along the edges. A breathable twill cover styled with Leesa’s signature stripe pattern encases the entire mattress.

The Original Hybrid carries an affordable sticker price, and each order includes two Leesa pillows at no extra cost. The company also provides free ground shipping to customers in all 50 states. Your purchase comes with a 100-night sleep trial. Should you decide to keep the mattress, you’ll also receive a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Birch Mattress is a latex hybrid featuring an assortment of natural and organic components. These materials make the mattress a good option for side sleepers seeking a supportive, pressure-relieving mattress that’s also sustainably produced.

How It Performed

The mattress is medium firm (6). Its highly responsive feel comes from a latex comfort layer that conforms gently, and the pocketed coil support core. The bouncy surface allowed us to get in and out of bed, change positions, and crawl across the mattress with ease. A reinforced perimeter enables you to utilize the entire surface of the bed. This zoning held up well in our testing lab, as we could easily tie our shoes while sitting on the Birch Mattress’ edges and experienced plenty of pushback lying along the perimeter.

The robust support core provided ample support for our side sleepers weighing 130 pounds or more, while the latex offered enough contouring to relieve pressure points. Our lighter testers experienced more of a floating sensation, and the bed felt a bit firmer for them. Depending on their personal preferences, side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds may want to look for a model with more cushioning for the shoulders and hips.

What It’s Made of

The Birch Mattress’ comfort system begins with a blend of organic wool and rayon that cushions the surface and encourages airflow. Underneath is a second layer of wool that acts as a natural fire barrier, followed by Talalay latex. The latex gently cradles your body to reduce pressure buildup while providing enough responsiveness to keep you on an even plane. A pocketed coil system makes up the support core, offering targeted support to the hips and shoulders and reinforcing the perimeter of the mattress. The coils rest on a base layer of wool and rayon for stability, and a breathable organic cotton cover encases the mattress.

Birch offers free shipping to customers within the contiguous U.S. The mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial to test the mattress. If you decide to keep the mattress, it comes with a 25-year warranty against structural defects.