Our Picks For The Best Mattress For Side Sleepers

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a foam hybrid mattress that offers excellent body contouring, a feature that's particularly beneficial to side sleepers who experience shoulder pain and hip pain. Hot sleepers will also love how the pocketed coils in the support system enhance air circulation throughout the mattress to keep them cool. Featuring three firmness levels, shoppers can choose from a firm, medium firm, or medium soft model to achieve optimal support.

All models of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid begin with a breathable knit cover that delivers maximum cooling on contact. You can also invest in a Cozy-as-a-Cloud Cooling Pillow Top that provides high-tech cooling comfort, body contouring, and pressure point relief.

The medium firm and medium soft versions have an adaptive foam quilted into the top cover, followed by a TitanFlex layer. This proprietary material offers the perfect balance of body cushioning and latex-like responsiveness.

For additional support, these two models have a dense polyfoam transition layer at the comfort system. While firm versions also come with the same components, their transition layer is thicker, and the two layers at the top are thinner to give the surface a more supportive feel.

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is relatively affordable compared to other hybrid models. If you're shopping on a tight budget, expect to pay as little as $498.80 for a twin-size model. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is protected by a 120-night sleep trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shoppers living within the contiguous U.S. are eligible for free shipping.

Read the full review

The Nolah Signature 12 is constructed for cooling comfort and provides zoned support. Nolah has claimed that their mattresses are great for side sleepers, but this one was our favorite of all their options. It is indeed the best medium firm mattress for side sleepers and provides spinal support and relief at pressure points, just the same as the best pressure relieving for back or stomach sleepers.

Choosing a mattress that is rated on a firmness scale of 5 is the perfect way to find the appropriate balance of support and comfort. This all-foam mattress isn’t just any medium firm foam mattress. If you're still undecided about the firmness level you want in a new mattress, the Nolah Signature 12 got you covered.

It boasts a balanced foam feel that's both soft and responsive. Thanks to its medium-firm feel, you'll get great pressure relief on your hips and shoulders. And unlike standard memory foam, Signature 12 features a 2.5" proprietary AirForm  that's specially designed to be breathable and more responsive. Plus, it doesn't have viscoelastic chemicals, meaning your bed won't trap as much heat as other memory foam mattresses.

It boasts a balanced foam feel that's both soft and responsive. Thanks to its medium-firm feel, you'll get great pressure relief on your hips and shoulders. And unlike standard memory foam, Signature 12 features a 2.5" proprietary AirForm  that's specially designed to be breathable and more responsive. Plus, it doesn't have viscoelastic chemicals, meaning your bed won't trap as much heat as other memory foam mattresses.

Generally, signature 12 features high-density and durable materials. Although it depends on how often you use your bed and the amount of weight you carry, expect your mattress to last for about ten years or even more. Unlike other mattress materials, we love how the memory foam isn’t slow sinking, but also won’t respond so quickly that you feel like you are sinking. It’s a great medium responding foam that will relieve pressure, give you the slow sensation of melting around you, but without feeling stuck.

As this side sleeper mattress is an all-foam mattress, we don’t recommend it for people that typically sleep hot. Memory foam in particular tends to trap heat and have poor airflow. 

Nolah mattresses are CertiPUR-US standard to ensure you aren’t exposed to potentially harmful gasses or chemicals. This mattress type is made using a petroleum-based foam, but because Nolah has certified all their mattresses and products, you can rest assured they’re still safe.

Even if you’re still a little wary about the mattress type or maybe the price is really putting you off, you can still try this mattress free of charge. Nolah offers a 120 day sleep trial and free returns so you can be sure your choice is the right one for side sleepers.

Helix boasts an extensive line of hybrid beds designed for specific individuals in terms of body type and sleep position. Specially designed with side sleepers in mind, the Helix Midnight Elite is the brand's most popular model thanks to its balanced medium firm feel that cushions and contours to the body while offering sturdy support.

The mattress features a 100% polyester cover that's soft, smooth, and breathable to prevent heat retention. Below the cover is a comfort system with two foam layers. At the top lies the brand's adaptive Memory Plus Foam, which compresses to accommodate painful pressure points. Beneath this is a layer of high-grade polyfoam that's slightly firm to provide ergonomic support.

Next is the support core, which features individually wrapped coils that promote airflow throughout the mattresses and improve edge support and responsiveness while minimizing motion transfer. A thin layer of DuraDense foam enhances the bed's durability and overall support and acts as a shock-absorbing base for these pocketed coils.

Coming at a price range of $749 - $1,399, the Helix Midnight Elite boasts a very approachable price-point for shoppers on a budget. What's more, Helix offers free ground shipping anywhere within the 5o states. Each purchase includes a 100-night risk-free sleep trial period, a 30-day break-in period, and a 10-year warranty. 

Read the full review

This high quality mattress is often called one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. Compared to side sleepers nectar mattress, the pressure relief on this Nolah Original is what makes it so great for side sleepers. You won’t feel your bones hitting any part of your bed frame when you lie down, thanks to the soft 10 inches of foam beneath you.

Place this mattress down on any type of bed frame to sleep comfortably, including a box spring, platform, slatted base, foundation, or any other option you have. With the comfortable foam, this mattress has been proven to provide 4 times less pressure on your shoulders and hips, like most soft mattresses. It helps that the foam is completely temperature neutral as well. If you sleep hot, you have 2 inches of air foam to keep you cool rather than your traditional memory foam mattresses.

Don’t forget about the other layers to this mattress, either. You also have an inch of deep, supportive high resilience foam, which is made to be durable and to provide you with a responsive bounce when you lie down at night. Then, of course, you have 7 inches of high-density breathable base foam, which is meant to reinforce the layers on top and to keep the mattress durable for years to come.

This mattress by Nolah is one of the best for side sleepers, thanks to the superior pressure relief and zoned support. You’ll be sleeping on a firm foundation while relaxing on a more comfortable top that is made to form to your body type. Simply put, you're sure to get the luxurious feeling every sleeper craves in a new mattress.

Speaking of body type though, this type of mattress doesn’t necessarily work as well for heavier people. Heavier people will need a thicker and more supportive mattress for their back, hips and shoulders, perhaps one which incorporates some pocketed coils for comfort. In addition to being the best for side sleepers, we found that this Nolah mattress was ideal for medium-sized to petite individuals, who won’t sink too much into the foam, but who can still feel the support.

When we tested this mattress out, we did sink just a little bit into the foam. That’s the foam that will cushion your shoulders and hips, but even though we sank a bit, it was very comfortable. That’s because this mattress is a sort of medium firmness, which makes it perfect for combo sleepers, or if you have a partner that prefers to sleep on their back rather than their side. On a firmness scale, we would rank this maybe as about a 5.

We love the soft mattress cover on top. Not only does it help with keeping the mattress cool throughout the night, but it feels good to lie on top of. It helps that all that foam helps stop too much movement too, so you won’t be woken up if your partner gets up in the middle of the night.

Read the full review

Don’t forget about the Luxury Memory Foam Mattress from Cool Bliss, which, as the name suggests, is made to keep you cool throughout the night. It includes 5 comfort layers that are made to work together for lots of cooling and a great night’s sleep. This is thanks to their patented memory foam mattress that is made to improve airflow, dissipate heat, and make you sleep cool at night. If you notice that you tend to sleep warmer, you really can’t go wrong with the Cool Bliss mattress.

It’s not only about coolness and the plush soft feel of the top layer, though, that makes this mattress the best for side sleepers. The Cool Bliss is unique thanks to the pressure-relief that comes from the memory foam—made completely of natural latex, so it won’t smell like chemicals. Since latex is a bit expensive, you might want to consider purchasing a hybrid bed or a synthetic latex, especially for sleepers on a budget. PlushBeds' foam is high-density to prevent sagging, but don’t worry about it being too dense like some other memory foam options. We found that the foam was actually quite relaxing, and with the layer of cooling gel, as well as the cooling cover, it wasn’t difficult to sleep dry for the entire night.

Thanks to the comfortable foam, you’ll notice that both side sleepers and back sleepers can sleep well. If you share a bed with another type of sleeper, you two won’t need to worry about having different preferences.

If you don’t mind having a mattress that you really sink into, then you especially won’t mind this cooling mattress. Now, sinking doesn’t mean that your mattress isn’t supportive, but not everyone likes the feeling of so much foam underneath them. Well, you definitely have a lot of foam with this mattress, since it includes the combination of gel foam to keep you cool, natural latex foam, and layers of airy foam to ensure that your back, shoulders, and sides feel comfortable for the entire night.

We certainly found that this cooling mattress was relaxing. The sink wasn’t too bothersome, and it didn’t feel like we were getting stuck in the mattress. Actually, the mattress had a good amount of bounce to it, which made it perfect for those of us who switched from back to side sleeper position throughout the night. It really does feel cool too, and doesn’t transfer motion well—so you can sleep comfortably with your partner or pet on the cooler sleeping cover.

Rather than purchasing a mattress topper to enhance the comfort of your mattress, why not try the Puffy Lux hybrid mattress. If you want a luxurious night’s sleep for side sleepers, the Puffy Lux mattress is a fantastic option. That is because it is designed with four layers of foam and coils, each playing an important role in your night’s sleep. The total thickness is 12 inch - all crafted with the purpose of relieving your back pain, giving good motion isolation and relieving pressure points.

Like most hybrid mattresses, such as the Helix mattress and the Helix Midnight mattress, Puffy Lux is a viable option if you crave the hugging feel of memory foam beds and the support of latex mattresses without sleeping hot. The base layer is six inches of HD polyfoam and coils, with a two- inch layer of firmer poly foam on top of that. There is then a two- inch layer of Dual Cloud foam for contouring, and a top layer of two- inch gel memory foam. This is known as Cooling Cloud foam, helping to regulate temperature and keep you from overheating.

The mattress is removed in a stain resistant polyester blend cover, which is able to be removed and washed. The cover meets the Oeko-Tex standard, and is 100 certified. The cover and mattress are also completely hypoallergenic. You can place this mattress on any surface, even folding it to work on a moving bed.

Winner of the Best Mattress of 2021 award, the company strives to go beyond just being another mattress company. That is because they donate with every sale of a mattress to a child in need of a mattress. They are also entirely made in the United States, and they provide you with a lifetime warranty.

Once you get your mattress, it is easy to set up and you get 101 nights to try out the mattress before you make a full decision. If you don’t like it, you have a money back guarantee but we doubt you will want to sleep on much else ever again.

Overall, our verdict is that if you prefer a firmer support for your back pain for example, then the Puffy Lux might not suffice. Go for the Puffy Lux if you favor a softer, luxurious feel.

Side sleepers will love how soft this mattress is. As a side sleeper, you need a softer mattress, but if you go for the best memory foam mattress on the market, you still need solid support. When you opt for a hybrid mattress for side sleepers, you get a little more leeway.

Read the full review