Calling all side sleepers: These are the best mattresses for you

Getting good quality sleep is important for your health and well-being — but it’s no secret that many struggle to achieve it. One of the best ways to get a good night's rest is to pick the right mattress for your needs.

For side sleepers specifically, it’s important to use hybrid mattresses or a mattress with memory foam that curves along your body, providing the right amount of support for your spine and relieving the pressure on your sides. 

That said, we know that browsing through memory foam mattresses can be a tedious process, so we’ve done the research for you. Here, we review the six best mattresses for side sleepers.

Read more: Shop our top pillows for side sleepers

Browse the best mattress here

Best overall

Dreamcloud Premier

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$999 at Dreamcloud

A luxury choice

Helix Midnight Elite

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$2,999 at Helix Sleep

Best for temperature regulation

Saatva Classic Mattress

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$1,695 at Saatva

Best budget option

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

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$699 at Nectar

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Best overall

Dreamcloud Premier

$999

$999 at Dreamcloud

Pros & Cons

• Includes a cashmere cover 

• Designed to be breathable 

• Boasts a lifetime warranty

• Some reviewers say it slopes downward at the sides

• May be too firm for some

When it comes to providing quality sleep, this mattress gets our vote as the best mattress for side sleepers. Its cashmere cover provides a breathable top layer for added comfort and the CertiPUR-US-certified foams adapts to your body’s curves, making it a great choice for side sleepers with neck, shoulder or back pain.

It’s also designed with individually wrapped springs that help limit motion transfer in case you have a sleeping partner who tosses and turns. And with a lifetime warranty, you’ll never have to worry about any wear and tear.

A luxury choice

Helix Midnight Elite

You save $749.80 (20%)

$2,999$3,748.80

$2,999 at Helix Sleep

Pros & Cons

• Targeted pressure point relief

• Advanced cooling feature

• Doctor recommended

• Higher-priced than others

• May be too thick for some

Want a sleeping experience tailored specifically for you? The Helix Midnight Elite is your answer. This high-end mattress has five carefully selected layers that add up to a 5-star sleeping experience.

Its built-in GlacioTex Elite cooling fabric regulates your body temperature throughout the night — and the steel micro coils provide targeted pressure relief for your shoulders and hips. If you’re looking for the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder and hip pain, this is it.

Best for temperature regulation

Saatva Classic Mattress

$1,695

$1,695 at Saatva

Pros & Cons

• Dual coil design for better airflow

• Lumbar Zone Technology for spinal health

• Lifetime warranty

• Reports of sagging after several years

• Firmness level might be too hard for some

The best sleep comes from setting up the temperature just right and not waking up in a puddle of sweat — and that is exactly what the Saatva Classic Mattress does. Its cover is made of organic cotton that is guaranteed to provide cooler sleep while a dual-coil design allows helps regulate temperature by dispersing body heat.

It’s also designed with its patented Lumbar Zone Technology that’s proven to support your lumbar spine even when you are side-sleeping. Plus, the responsive coils curve to your body, making it one of the best beds for side sleepers.

Best budget option

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

$699

$699 at Nectar

Pros & Cons

• Minimal motion transfer

• Heat-absorbent layers for cooling

• Promotes better spinal alignment

• Shipping can take a long time

• Poor customer service

Getting comfortable sleep doesn’t always mean having to spend a lot of money. Nectar understands a side sleeper’s needs and they’ve designed an affordable memory foam mattress that provides all the support you need without the high price tag. 

This memory foam mattress has a single-cooling layer for a breezy sleep and a three-inch transitional layer for minimal motion transfer, making it a comfortable mattress even if you’re sleeping with a restless partner.

You should also know that this mattress has won several awards so there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best choices for a side sleeper mattress.

Best for pressure point relief

Helix Midnight

You save $274.80 (20%)

$1,099$1,373.80

$1,099 at Helix Sleep

Pros & Cons

• Responsive foam layers for pressure relief

• Hypoallergenic cover option

• Limits motion transfer

• No targeted lumbar support

• May be too soft for some

There’s nothing worse than waking up feeling more painful than you did the night before. Thanks to Helix Midnight, that will be a problem of your past. Its responsive foam layers provide pressure relief no matter what your sleeping style is. 

The Helix Midnight is designed specifically as a mattress for side sleepers — with its middle layers that are aimed at supporting your body contours. You’ll also get a free set of pillows when you purchase this mattress.

Best for couples

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud 10-Inch Medium Hybrid Mattress

$2,199

$2,199 at Mattress Firm

Pros & Cons

• Pressure-relieving layers

• Reduces motion transfer

• Adjustable base

• Could be more breathable

Of course, many enjoy sleeping next to their partners. What we don’t like is not being able to sleep when our partner’s tossing and turning. Thanks to the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud 10-Inch Medium Hybrid Mattress, this won’t be a problem anymore.

Its Tempur Comfort Layer limits motion transfer so you won’t have to worry about waking up when your companion moves around while you’re in deep sleep. On top of that, the Tempur Support Layer & Hybrid Technology distributes your weight evenly, which in return helps reduce sleeping problems like snoring and sleep apnea.

We also love that this mattress is adjustable-base friendly – just in case you’re thinking of having a romantic movie night in bed.

What to know before purchasing a side sleeper mattress 

If you’re a side sleeper, it’s key to choose a mattress that supports your hips while allowing your shoulders to sink in slightly. Buying a mattress for side sleepers is an investment and it's essential to look at these factors to help you make the right decision.

Firmness

The firmness of your mattress determines whether you sink easily into your bed or will you feel a slight pushback. The industry standard is 6.5 out of 10. While it’s easy to say that 1 out of 10 (softest) would be the best, that might not always be the case. A firm mattress is important for supporting your lumbar spine. For example, the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain would be somewhere between five to seven on the firmness scale.

Memory foam

Memory foam mattresses are sought after for good reason. They’re usually hypoallergenic, adapt to your body’s curves and minimize motion transfer – which means you won’t feel your partner’s movements. Some mattresses are hybrid, too, which means they have a combination of memory foam and coils for extra support.

Temperature regulation

Not all mattresses have temperature regulation technology. If you’re someone who sweats when you sleep or if you have a favorite side to sleep on, it’s better to find a breathable mattress that’s equipped with temperature regulation so you can remain comfortable throughout the night.

Motion transfer

If you’re sleeping with a partner, having a mattress that limits motion transfer can make the difference between undisturbed sleep and waking up constantly. Most memory foam mattresses provide motion transfer regulation so if you are a restless sleeper, you might want to consider getting one with this feature.

Our top mattress choice for side sleepers.

We can vouch for all the mattresses on our list. However, if you’re still weighing your options, here are our top two recommendations:

• Dreamcloud Premier: This mattress has everything a side sleeper needs from a certified memory foam to a breathable mattress cover. Plus, it’s won many awards, making it our top pick overall.

• The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress: Comfort doesn’t always have to break the bank. This mattress firmly supports your spine, cools you down when you sleep and costs less than $1,000 – it’s no wonder we’ve voted it one of our favorites.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right mattress but we believe one of the mattresses from our list will help you achieve your best sleep yet!

Prices updated on 08/16/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.