Are you a side sleeper looking for a new mattress that can provide you with the comfort and support you need? If so, you are not alone. According to surveys, over 75% of people sleep on their side, making it the most common sleep position. However, not all mattresses are suitable for side sleepers, as they may cause pressure points, spinal misalignment, or overheating.
To help you find the best mattress for your sleeping style, we have reviewed the top 5 mattresses for side sleepers based on our extensive research and testing. We have considered factors such as pressure relief, spinal alignment, temperature regulation, motion isolation, edge support, durability, and customer satisfaction. We have also included a buyer’s guide at the end of this post to help you understand what to look for when shopping for a mattress as a side sleeper.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best mattress for side sleepers in 2023:
- Best Overall: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud
- Best Value: Allswell Luxe Hybrid
- Best Innerspring: Saatva Classic
- Best Memory Foam: Tuft & Needle Original
- Best Cooling: Purple Mattress
Best Overall: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud is our best overall pick for the best mattress for side sleepers because of its exceptional pressure relief, spinal alignment, and motion isolation. This mattress is made of high-quality memory foam that conforms to your body shape and cradles your hips and shoulders. It also has a medium-firm feel that balances comfort and support for most side sleepers.
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud has a breathable cover that is removable and washable. It also has a 10-year warranty and a 90-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may trap some heat and have some off-gassing when new. However, these issues are minor and should dissipate over time.
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $1,999 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the Tempur-Pedic website or from authorized retailers.
Best Value: Allswell Luxe Hybrid
The Allswell Luxe Hybrid is our best value pick for the best mattress for side sleepers because of its affordable price and excellent performance. This mattress is a hybrid that combines memory foam and pocketed coils to offer both pressure relief and support. It also has a medium-firm feel that suits most side sleepers.
The Allswell Luxe Hybrid has a quilted cover that is infused with copper and gel to help with cooling and antimicrobial protection. It also has a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may have some edge support issues and some noise from the coils. However, these issues are minor and should not affect your sleep quality.
The Allswell Luxe Hybrid is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $399 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the Allswell website or from Walmart.
Best Innerspring: Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic is our best innerspring pick for the best mattress for side sleepers because of its durable construction and customizable options. This mattress is an innerspring that features two layers of coils: a base layer of steel coils that provide support and stability, and a top layer of individually wrapped coils that provide contouring and responsiveness. It also has a layer of memory foam that provides extra pressure relief.
The Saatva Classic has an organic cotton cover that is soft and breathable. It also has a 15-year warranty and a 180-night trial period. The best part of this mattress is that you can choose from three firmness levels (plush soft, luxury firm, or firm) and two height options (11.5 inches or 14.5 inches) to suit your preferences.
The Saatva Classic is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $1,696 for a Queen size with an 11.5-inch height. You can buy it from the Saatva website or from authorized retailers.
Best Memory Foam: Tuft & Needle Original
The Tuft & Needle Original is our best memory foam pick for the best mattress for side sleepers because of its simple design and balanced feel. This mattress is made of two layers of foam: a base layer of high-density polyfoam that provides support and durability, and a top layer of adaptive foam that provides pressure relief and breathability. It also has a medium-firm feel that works well for most side sleepers.
The Tuft & Needle Original has a polyester cover that is soft and stretchy. It also has a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may have some edge support issues and some off-gassing when new. However, these issues are minor and should fade away over time.
The Tuft & Needle Original is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $796 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the Tuft & Needle website or from Amazon.
Best Cooling: Purple Mattress
The Purple Mattress is our best cooling pick for the best mattress for side sleepers because of its unique material and airflow. This mattress is made of three layers: a base layer of high-density polyfoam that provides support and durability, a transition layer of medium-density polyfoam that provides cushioning and transition, and a top layer of hyper-elastic polymer that provides pressure relief and temperature regulation. It also has a medium-firm feel that adapts to your body shape and weight.
The Purple Mattress has a polyester cover that is soft and breathable. It also has a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may have some edge support issues and some weight limit restrictions. However, these issues are minor and should not affect your sleep quality.
The Purple Mattress is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $1,258 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the Purple website or from Amazon.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
As a side sleeper, you have specific needs and preferences when it comes to choosing a mattress. Here are some factors to consider before buying a mattress:
- Pressure Relief: As a side sleeper, you need a mattress that can relieve pressure on your hips and shoulders, which are the areas that bear most of your body weight. A mattress that is too firm may cause pain and stiffness, while a mattress that is too soft may cause sagging and misalignment. A mattress that offers good pressure relief should conform to your body shape and distribute your weight evenly.
- Spinal Alignment: As a side sleeper, you also need a mattress that can keep your spine in a neutral position, which means that your head, neck, and back are aligned. A mattress that is too firm or too soft may cause your spine to curve or twist, which can lead to back pain and other problems. A mattress that offers good spinal alignment should support your natural curves and prevent excessive sinking or arching.
- Firmness Level: The firmness level of a mattress is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very soft and 10 being very hard. The ideal firmness level for you depends on your personal preference, body weight, and sleeping position. In general, most side sleepers prefer a medium-firm mattress (around 5 to 6 on the scale), as it offers a balance of comfort and support. However, some side sleepers may prefer a softer or firmer mattress depending on their needs.
- Mattress Type: The type of mattress refers to the materials and construction of the mattress. There are four main types of mattresses: foam, innerspring, hybrid, and latex. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages for side sleepers:
- Foam: Foam mattresses are made of layers of foam, such as memory foam or polyfoam. Foam mattresses are known for their pressure relief, motion isolation, and contouring abilities. However, they may also trap heat, have poor edge support, and lack bounce.
- Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are made of coils that provide support and durability. Innerspring mattresses are known for their breathability, edge support, and bounce. However, they may also cause pressure points, transfer motion, and make noise.
- Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses are made of a combination of foam and coils. Hybrid mattresses are known for their balance of comfort and support, as they offer the best of both foam and innerspring mattresses. However, they may also be expensive, heavy, and prone to sagging.
- Latex: Latex mattresses are made of natural or synthetic rubber. Latex mattresses are known for their responsiveness, durability, and eco-friendliness. However, they may also be expensive, heavy, and allergenic.
- Other Factors: Besides the factors mentioned above, there are other factors that you may want to consider when choosing a mattress for side sleepers:
- Temperature Regulation: Some mattresses may sleep hot or cold depending on their materials and construction. If you tend to sleep hot or cold, you may want to look for a mattress that has cooling features or breathable fabrics.
- Motion Isolation: Some mattresses may isolate motion better than others depending on their materials and construction. If you share your bed with a partner or a pet, you may want a mattress that has motion isolation features or breathable fabrics to reduce disturbances and improve your sleep quality.
- Edge Support: Some mattresses may have stronger or weaker edge support depending on their materials and construction. Edge support refers to how well the mattress holds up along the edges, which can affect your comfort and safety. If you tend to sleep or sit near the edge of the bed, you may want to look for a mattress that has good edge support to prevent sagging or rolling off.
- Durability: Some mattresses may last longer or shorter depending on their materials and construction. Durability refers to how well the mattress maintains its shape, firmness, and performance over time. If you want to invest in a mattress that can serve you for years, you may want to look for a mattress that has high-quality materials and a long warranty period.
- Customer Satisfaction: Some mattresses may have higher or lower customer satisfaction ratings depending on their quality and service. Customer satisfaction refers to how happy and satisfied the customers are with their purchase and experience. If you want to buy a mattress that has positive reviews and feedback, you may want to look for a mattress that has high customer satisfaction ratings and a generous trial period.