The Best Side Sleeper Mattress According to Our Experts

If you’re among the millions of Americans who prefer to snooze on your side, roll over and pat yourself on the back.

Here’s why: Experts say that side sleeping can help alleviate insomnia and chronic sleep deprivation, improve digestion and breathing, and promote neutral spine alignment. Sleeping on your side is also thought to be the optimal position if you suffer from back or hip pain, or if you’re pregnant.

Unfortunately though, no matter what position you’re in when you drift off to dreamland, if you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress, you’re probably doing more harm than good. Back aches, joint pain, exhaustion upon waking… these are just a few of the consequences of sleeping on the wrong mattress.

But with so many different mattress types, and so many features to choose from, how do you know which mattress is best? We’ve got you covered with these mattress basics for side sleepers:

The Best Mattress Type for Side Sleepers

Most experts agree that the best mattress for side sleepers is one that cradles the body without letting it sink in too far. That’s because most people carry a disproportionate amount of weight in their shoulders and hips, which means that when you sleep on your side, these areas sink into the mattress, causing a strain on the spine and increasing pressure points.

So which mattress types can provide the cushion and reinforcement side sleepers need? Mattresses with at least one layer of memory foam.

Memory foam contours to the body and supports pressure points like the hips, shoulders and neck. Memory foam also provides the optimal amount of “push-back” to prevent your shoulders and hips from sinking into the mattress further than the rest of your body, which can throw off your alignment and cause back and joint pain.

Memory foam can be found in all-foam mattresses as well as hybrids, which typically combine foam layers with the coil systems  that are typical of innerspring mattresses. While hybrids tend to be a bit more expensive than traditional all-foam mattresses, they come with added benefits like increased ventilation and temperature regulation.

Check out our list of the Top Mattresses to find your best fit >

The Best Mattress Firmness for Side Sleepers

Mattress manufacturers use a one to 10 scale to describe the firmness of their products, with one indicating extremely soft and 10 indicating extremely firm.

Generally speaking, side sleepers do well with a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress—somewhere in the four to seven range, since these provide the best balance of support and contour, preventing joint pain and soreness.

But when it comes to mattress firmness, your sleep position isn’t the only factor to consider. Your weight—and the weight of your partner if you share a bed—should also be a consideration. That’s because your weight will dictate just how much you sink into your mattress. If your mattress is too soft for your body’s weight, your hips, thighs and shoulders will sink further into the mattress than the rest of your body, throwing your spine out of alignment and causing back, neck and joint pain. If your mattress is too firm, it won’t cradle your pressure points at all, which can also lead to misalignment and pain.

To avoid these issues, lightweight sleepers (those under 130 pounds) are advised to opt for mattresses on the softer end of the middle range. Softer mattresses will allow this group to sink in to the bed versus floating on top of it. Heavier sleepers (those over 230 pounds) generally want a little more support than a medium firm mattress can provide, so this group should consider an option that is on the higher end of the middle range.

Here’s a helpful guide for determining your optimal mattress firmness based on your body weight:

The Best Mattresses According to Pain Type

If you’re waking up sore in the mornings, chances are good your mattress isn’t supportive enough. Here’s a guide to the best mattress according to your aches and pains:

Side Sleepers with Lower Back Pain

Aside from selecting a mattress that contours to your body (detailed above), look for options that have been specifically engineered to provide pressure point relief and spinal support. From zoned lumbar support to gel top covers, many mattresses now include features specifically designed to reduce back pain.

Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain

Although preferences vary from sleeper to sleeper, those who snooze on their sides and who experience shoulder pain tend to prefer soft to medium-soft mattresses. Plush mattresses keep the shoulder joint cushioned, which removes pressure and allows the muscles to fully relax.

Side Sleepers with Hip Pain

If your hips are sore or stiff, you will likely benefit from a hybrid mattress that blends supportive innersprings and contouring memory foam for the perfect balance of “bounce back” and cushion.

Side Sleepers with Neck Pain

Few things are worse than waking up with a sore neck. Luckily, there’s a remedy: Foam. Opt for an all foam mattress or a hybrid that includes some foam comfort layers, and you should see reductions in your neck pain. Latex foam, while often a bit pricier than other options, is particularly supportive for side sleepers with neck pain.

The Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers

If you want to improve your sleep experience without splurging on a brand new mattress, investing in a good mattress topper is a great strategy.

Mattress Topper Basics

Before we dive in to the best mattress topper for side sleepers, here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about mattress toppers:

What is a Mattress Topper?

Mattress toppers are typically thick, removable layers that can be added to the top of a mattress to provide added cushioning and support. Mattress toppers are a great remedy for flawed mattresses—if your mattress is too firm, a mattress topper can be used to make it softer. On the flip side, if your mattress is too soft, a firmer topper can do wonders. Mattress toppers can also help mitigate the issues associated with a sagging mattress.

Is a Mattress Topper the Same as a Mattress Pad?

Mattress toppers are not to be confused with mattress pads, which exist primarily to protect the mattress from moisture, dust mites and bacteria.

What Mattress Topper is Best for Side Sleepers?

Just like with mattress shopping, mattress topper shopping comes with a few considerations. We cover some of the most important ones here.

Mattress Topper Firmness

Side sleepers should look for a mattress topper that delivers the right balance of support and contour, and that offsets any issues with the mattress itself—like being overly firm or soft.

But just like with mattresses, different mattress toppers tend to suit sleepers of different body weights. Here is a look at typical mattress topper firmness preference, according to bodyweight:

 Mattress Topper Materials

The best topper materials are those that will contour to the body and provide relief to pressure points like the shoulders and hips. Memory foam, polyfoam and latex are all good options since they provide the ideal amount of cushion.

Mattress Topper Thickness

The thicker the mattress topper, the bigger the impact it will have on your sleep surface—thinner toppers have minimal impact while thicker toppers can create a significant change in how your mattress feels. Toppers tend to range in thickness from one to four inches, so if your mattress feels way too firm, opt for a topper in that four inch range; if your mattress is just slightly too firm for your taste, choose a topper that’s a bit thinner.

The Best Side Sleeper Pillow

Just like certain mattress types and mattress toppers are more conducive to side sleepers, there are pillows that are optimal for this sleep position as well.

Since sleeping on your side can make it difficult to keep your head and neck in a neutral position, the most important thing to look for when shopping the best pillows for side sleepers is that they promote proper alignment—especially if you are looking for the best pillow for neck pain, or you have shoulder pain from sleeping on your side.

A thick, firm and lofty pillow is a good choice for side sleepers because it can fill the distance between your head and your mattress, and between your ear and your shoulder, both of which are critical to keeping your spine in neutral alignment.

Keep in mind that the wider your shoulders, the more space you will have to fill. This is why we recommend purchasing a pillow that enables you to remove or add filling inside—so you can customize the firmness and the fullness to suit your body.