| Quick Summary |
|---|
Side sleeping is the most popular sleep position – and according to most sleep experts, also the healthiest. Spinal alignment is one reason; side sleeping aligns the shoulders, spine, and pelvis, which helps minimize pressure points in the neck, lower back, and other sensitive areas. Side sleepers also have better airway circulation, which can be beneficial for people with sleep apnea (as well as heavy snorers). The side sleeping position has been linked to healthier hearts, as well. In order to enjoy these health benefits, side sleepers must invest in a mattress that will provide adequate support. Most side sleepers prefer mattresses that are on the softer side because they cushion the shoulders and hips, which is essential for proper alignment. However, heavier individuals who sleep on their sides may prefer a firmer mattress that won’t sink too deeply. Material composition is also important, as some mattress types provide more cushioning and better support than others. Read on to learn more about important considerations for side sleepers, as well as our picks for the best mattresses for side sleeping that are sold today. Our picks are based on verified customer and owner reviews, as well as intensive product research and analysis. |
Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers |
Editor’s Pick – Layla MattressBest Value – Nolah OriginalBest Luxury – Brooklyn Bedding AuroraBest for Lightweight Sleepers – The Original PurpleBest for Average Weight Sleepers – Helix MidnightBest for Heavyweight Sleepers – The New Purple |
| Highlights |
|
Many side sleepers have firmness preferences that change night to night. The Layla Mattress addresses these needs with a flippable design that features a different firmness on each side. One side is ‘Medium Soft’ (4 on the 1-10 firmness scale), and the other side is ‘Firm’ (7).
Both sides of the mattress have copper-infused memory foam comfort layers. This material conforms closely to the sleeper’s body in order to improve spinal alignment and minimize pressure points. The copper element also helps improve circulation for sleepers, and the ‘Medium Soft’ side has an additional layer of convoluted polyfoam for extra cushioning. The shared middle layer made of high-density polyfoam ensures an even, supportive sleep surface.
The Layla Mattress also minimizes and reduces motion transfer to a significant extent, and is virtually silent when bearing weight. For these reasons, the mattress is suitable for couples – particularly if one or both of the sleepers awaken easily due to movement or noise. The mattress is also quite light, making it easy to flip for most people.
Layla Sleep ships mattresses anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, and customers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free delivery. The mattress is backed by a 120-night sleep trial, which is longer than average, as well as a lifetime warranty.
Good for:
| Highlights |
|
The Nolah Original, the flagship mattress from Nolah Sleep, is a mixed-polyfoam model specifically designed to support side sleepers. The Nolah Original is also relatively affordable compared to other foam-based mattress models.
Comfort layers of Nolah Airfoam and high-resilience polyfoam offer a balance of support and conforming for optimal cushioning in areas of the body that need it the most. A high-density polyfoam base layer reinforces the sleep surface, and a moisture-wicking cover allows the bed to sleep fairly cool compared to other foam-based mattresses.
In terms of firmness, the Nolah Original is a Medium (5.5), which is one of the most popular settings for sleepers today. The 10-inch profile also accommodates most sleepers regardless of weight. And at 74 pounds in a Queen-size, the Nolah Original is light and easy to move even by foam mattress standards.
The Nolah Original comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a nonprorated 15-year warranty. Seven percent of the purchase price goes toward protecting an endangered or threatened animal species of the customer’s choice.
Good for:
| Highlights |
|
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora is the “cadillac” of their mattress lineup. It’s unique cooling properties, terrific construction and soft yet supportive feel makes it a great option for side sleepers.
Edge support is another standout feature. A base layer of high-density polyfoam reinforces the pocketed coils to ensure an even sleep surface and minimize sinkage around the edges of the bed where people tend to sit. The mattress also isolates motion better than other hybrids and produces minimal noise, making it a good choice for couples.
The Aurora is somewhat expensive (currently $1,699 in a Queen-size) and is a good option for shoppers with bigger budgets, even though this price-point is lower than the average cost of a Queen-size hybrid. Brooklyn Bedding offers free mattress shipping in the contiguous U.S., as well as a 120-night sleep trial for the Aurora.
Good for:
| Highlights |
|
The Original Purple mattress features a unique, durable design that provides support and comfort to side sleepers who fall in the lightweight group (less than 130 pounds), but the bed may also accommodate heavier individuals as well.
The mattress features a ‘Smart Grid’ comfort layer consisting of buckling-column gel in a flexible polymer grid. This design offers conforming and pressure relief that is comparable to memory foam or latex, but the durable polymer construction ensures a longer-than-average lifespan with minimal chance of early deterioration. The Original Purple’s cover also contains viscose and Lycra® spandex, allowing the bed to sleep fairly cool, while a high-density polyfoam support core keeps the surface even and comfortable.
The Original Purple is a good option for couples because it provides above-average motion isolation and makes no noise when bearing weight. The mattress also has a price-point that is lower than the average memory foam model.
Purple ships mattresses for free to customers in the contiguous U.S. The mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a nonprorated 10-year warranty.
Good for:
| Highlights |
|
Although Helix Sleep offers a line of nine different mattresses, it’s their Midnight mattress that we recommend for most side sleepers of an average weight. Specifically designed to offer targeted pressure relief for side sleepers, the Helix Midnight mattress layers a special blend of memory foam and Helix’s proprietary dynamic foam on top of individually foam-wrapped coils.
The Midnight is the most popular of the Helix mattresses because of its balanced medium firmness. This even feel provides ideal support for average and lighter weight sleepers. The softer memory foam blend absorbs and gently cradles your shoulders and hips as the pocketed coil support system pushes back to keep your body naturally aligned.
This is a bed that lets you sleep on your side without waking up to the upper back and shoulder pain you find with other mattresses. You’ll also find yourself sleeping through your partner’s normal jostling, shifting, or bathroom breaks during the night, because the Helix Midnight is effectively motion neutral, meaning it absorbs much of the movement across the surface of the bed.
Backed by a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty, Helix helps you to trust that the Midnight mattress is the right choice.
Good for:
| Highlights |
|
Introduced in 2018, the New Purple mattress combines the ‘Smart Grid’ design of the Original Purple with pocketed coil hybrid construction. The result is a thick, supportive mattress that is highly suitable for individuals in the heavyweight group (more than 230 pounds).
The New Purple is available in three firmness settings: Medium Soft (4.5), Medium (5.5), and Medium Firm (6.5). These range in thickness from 11″ to 13″, giving the mattress a thicker-than-average profile regardless of the selected firmness. This height, combined with the pressure-relieving buckling-column gel grid, provides adequate support for most heavier people.
The New Purple also isolates motion well and produces minimal noise, both of which can be problematic issues for hybrid owners. The pocketed coils reinforce the edges to help minimize sinkage, and also allow the bed to sleep exceptionally cool.
Prices vary for the New Purple, with the thickest model being the most expensive. Customers in the contiguous U.S. will receive free shipping for their mattress order.
Good for:
Roughly two-thirds of adults in the U.S. prefer side sleeping positions. The term ‘side sleeping’ usually refers to one of these four positions:
None of these positions are ‘correct’ or ‘better’ than the others. However, positions like the log and yearner that require full leg extensions can reduce pelvic rotation during the night. This may lead to spinal misalignment, which increases the potential for pain and pressure points.
You’re in luck if side sleeping is your preferred position. Most sleep experts agree side sleeping is healthier than sleeping on one’s back or stomach. Health benefits of side sleeping include:
Side sleepers require a mattress that provides the support and contouring needed to keep their spine aligned. Firmness is one of the most important factors for choosing a mattress. Firmness is assigned using a 1 to 10 scale, with 1 being the least firm and 10 being the firmest. Most mattresses sold today range from 3, or ‘Soft,’ to 8, or ‘Extra Firm.’
For most side sleepers, a ‘medium’ or ‘medium firm’ mattress will be most comfortable. These surfaces will provide even support, which is necessary for spinal alignment, and also conform to the sleeper’s body in order to alleviate pain and pressure points.
However, each sleeper should take his or her body weight into consideration when choosing a mattress based on firmness. Please check out the table below for more information.
| Side Sleeper Weight | Most Suitable Firmness Range | Explanation |
| Less than 130 pounds | Medium Soft or softer | People who are lighter than average do not sink as deeply into their mattress. Beds that are overly firm may experience discomfort because the sleep surface doesn’t conform closely enough. |
| 130 to 230 pounds | Medium to Medium Firm | People with average body weight often prefer ‘happy medium’ mattresses that are neither too soft nor too firm. |
| More than 230 pounds | Medium Firm or firmer | Heavier individuals may sink too deeply into mattresses that are overly soft. This can cause spinal misalignment and lead to more aches and pains. They tend to sink less on firmer sleep surfaces. |
The diagram below illustrates the most preferred firmness settings for side sleepers in all three weight groups.
In addition to firmness and sleeper weight, the material composition of a mattress is also important for side sleepers. A mattress with steel coils in the support system will provide a much different sleeping experience than one with foam, latex, or air chambers.
The next table compares the five most common mattress types and explains which ones are most suitable for side sleeping.
| Mattress Type | Foam | Latex | Innerspring | Hybrid | Airbed |
| Construction | At least one layer of polyfoam or memory foam in the comfort layer High-density polyfoam support core | At least one layer of natural or synthetic latex in the comfort layer Latex or high-density polyfoam support core | Polyfoam comfort layer Evenly spaced steel springs in the support core, plus base polyfoam layers | At least 2″ or latex and/or memory foam in the comfort layer Pocketed coils in the support core, plus base polyfoam layers | Foam comfort layer Individual, adjustable air chambers in the support core that can be manually or remote-controlled. |
| Average Price (Queen) | $1,044.16 | $1,970.51 | $1,037.97 | $2,076.70 | $2,282.75 |
| Average Lifespan | 5 to 6 years | 7 to 8 years | 4 to 6 years | 6 to 7 years | 7 to 9 years |
| Pros for Side Sleepers | Close conforming and good pressure relief Above-average motion isolation and no noise Widely available | Close conforming and good pressure relief Above-average motion isolation and no noise Sleeps cooler than foam | Strong edge support Inexpensive Widely available Sleep cool for most | Strong edge support Better conforming than innersprings Sleep cool for most | Close conforming and good pressure relief Adjustable firmness settings Highly durable |
| Cons for Side Sleepers | Sleeps hot for some Some sagging reported Minimal edge support | Above-average price Some sagging reported Minimal edge support | Minimal conforming and pressure relief Shorter-than-average lifespan Noise potential | Above-average price Noise potential | Above-average price Temperature neutrality issues for some Noise potential |
Once you have chosen a suitable mattress type, here are a few important points to remember before purchasing a new model.
