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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 – SaatvaBest Luxury – Brooklyn Bedding AuroraBest for Lightweight Sleepers – Tuft & Needle Mint MattressBest for Average Weight Sleepers – NectarBest for Heavyweight Sleepers – Helix Nightfall |
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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.
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Innersprings are notoriously hard on side sleepers. Most are constructed with thin foam comfort layers that do not conform very closely, which can result in poor spinal alignment and added aches and pains. The Saatva – our Best Value pick – is a notable exception. This innerspring is constructed with comfort layers of memory foam, polyfoam, and pocketed coils that cradle the body and target pressure points in the sleeper’s most sensitive areas. A Euro-top layer is also included for extra padding. The support core contains bonnell coils, which help reinforce the bed and prevent sinkage around the edges.
The Saatva also offers multiple designs to accommodate different types of side sleepers. The bed is available in three firmness settings: ‘Medium Soft’ (4), ‘Medium Firm’ (6), and ‘Firm’ (7.5); this range should be suitable for those in any weight group. The bed also comes in 11 1/2″ and 14 1/2″ profiles; the thicker option may be the best option for exceptionally large sleepers. Additionally, the Saatva offers strong airflow through the coil layers that helps cool off the surface of the bed, making it optimal for those who tend to sleep hot.
Saatva offers free White Glove delivery – including in-home mattress assembly and old mattress removal – to all customers in the contiguous U.S. The Saatva is backed by a 120-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty, both of which are longer than average.
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Our Best Luxury pick is the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora, a hybrid mattress that offers a cool, comfortable experience for side sleepers who are willing to spend a little extra. The Aurora is available in three firmness settings: ‘Soft’ (3), ‘Medium Firm’ (6), and ‘Firm’ (8). This range is suitable for most side sleepers regardless of their weight; the softer option provides deep conforming and improves spinal alignment for lighter individuals, while the firmer options offer sturdy support and moderate yet consistent conforming for heavier people.
The Aurora also sleeps exceptionally cool, even by hybrid standards. This is due in part to its cover made of phase-change material (PCM), which absorbs body heat until the sleeper’s body reaches a certain temperature and allows the bed to remain cool and comfortable for most. The PCM is also infused with copper, which can promote bloodflow in sleepers with poor circulation. Good airflow through the pocketed coil layer also helps the bed stay temperature-neutral. Another strong point is edge support; the 8″ coil layer provides strong reinforcement to the entire bed and helps minimize sinkage around the perimeter.
The Aurora has a current price-point of $1,699 in a Queen size; this is higher than the cost of the average mattress, but a relatively low price-point for hybrid models. Brooklyn Bedding offers free shipping in the contiguous U.S., and backs the Aurora with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
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Though preferences vary, most side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds typically prefer mattresses with thick foam layers that conform closely, improve spinal alignment, and target aches, pains, and pressure points throughout the body. Our pick for side sleepers in this weight group is the Tuft & Needle Mint, an all-polyfoam bed with a ‘Medium Firm’ (6) feel and a 12″ profile. The mattress offers moderate, yet consistent conforming that should be sufficient for most people who are considered lighter than average.
The Mint also uses innovative materials to enhance the sleep experience. These include a gel-infused polyfoam comfort layer and charcoal-infused cover, both of which allow the bed to sleep fairly cool. The bed also has transitional and base layers made from high-density polyfoam, giving the Mint better support than many of its all-foam competitors. The Mint is a good choice for couples, as well, since it isolates motion transfer very well and does not make any noise when bearing weight.
The Mint has a low price-point compared to beds made from other materials, such as memory foam or latex. Tuft & Needle offers free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. The Mint is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
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Side sleepers in the average weight group (130 to 230 pounds) often prefer mattresses that fall between ‘Medium Soft’ and ‘Medium Firm.’ This range ensures the sleep surface will provide some body conforming and pain/pressure relief without sagging too deeply beneath their weight. The Nectar is our top pick for side sleepers in this weight group because it offers the same benefits as other memory foam mattresses at a price-point that is significantly below average.
The bed is designed with comfort layers of gel memory foam and standard memory foam, which provide a consistent hug throughout the sleeper’s body and can help improve spinal alignment. The Nectar also features a dual-layer support core with high-density polyfoam layers; these materials reinforce the bed to help maintain an even surface. Unlike many of its competitors, the Nectar also sleeps fairly cool, due in part to its breathable cotton/lyocell cover. Other benefits include great motion isolation and no noise when bearing weight.
Nectar offers free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S., as well as White Glove delivery for an additional charge. The mattress is backed by a 365-night sleep trial – one of the longest trial periods available anywhere – as well as a lifetime warranty.
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The Helix Nightfall – our Best for Heavyweight Sleepers pick – is one of the few mattresses sold today that is specifically designed for larger, heavier people. This hybrid model accommodates these sleepers with a thicker-than-average 12″ profile, as well as a ‘Medium’ feel that balances body conforming and support. The Nightfall also has a transitional and base layers of high-density polyfoam for added reinforcement around the pocketed coils. This helps prevent sagging and minimizes sinkage around the edges.
The Nightfall is also ideal for side sleepers who normally feel hot during the night. The coil layer offers strong airflow that cools off the entire bed, and a breathable stretch-polyester cover also helps make the mattress feel temperature-neutral. Thick comfort layers of polyfoam and memory foam also absorb motion transfer to a significant extent and help muffle squeaks and creaks from the coils, allowing the mattress to be fairly quiet compared to other hybrids.
The Nightfall has an exceptionally low price-point compared to the average hybrid mattress. Helix offers free mattress shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. The Nightfall is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
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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.
