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Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Written by David Rubin

Reviewed by Dr. Michael Breus

Expert tested
Updated Regularly

Many adult sleepers spend more than half the night sleeping on their side. While this popular sleep position may feel natural or comfortable, side sleeping can also contribute to back and joint pain.

If you sleep primarily on your side, choosing a mattress designed for this position is an important step toward healthy, comfortable sleep. When you lie on your side, your shoulders and hips can sink deeper into the mattress than other parts of your body, which can cause spinal misalignment. The solution for side sleepers is to select a mattress that supports these pressure points and ensures that the spine remains relatively straight during sleep.

We’ll discuss our picks for the best mattress for side sleepers and explain what qualities to look for in a bed so that you can get a good night’s sleep.

Trouble sleeping?

Answer these 5 easy questions to discover your perfect mattress

Trouble sleeping?

Answer these 5 easy questions to discover your perfect mattress

What position do you sleep in?

Side icon

Side

Side icon
Back icon

Back

Back icon
Stomach icon

Stomach

Stomach icon

Do you experience any pain while sleeping?

Back and/or side pain icon

Back and/or side pain

Back and/or side pain icon
Neck and/or shoulder pain icon

Neck and/or shoulder pain

Neck and/or shoulder pain icon
Little to no pain icon

Little to no pain

Little to no pain icon

Do you have any material preferences?

Innerspring icon

Innerspring

Innerspring icon
Foam icon

Foam

Foam icon
No preference/ Other icon

No preference/ Other

Do you sleep hot?

Yes icon

Yes

Yes icon
No icon

No

No icon

Do you sleep with a partner?

Yes icon

Yes

Yes icon
No icon

No

No icon

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On this page:

Sleep Doctor’s picks  |  Sleep Doctor’s testing  |  Sleep Doctor’s shopping guide


Sleep Doctor’s Picks

Best Overall

Puffy Lux Hybrid

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Sleep Doctor

4.8

Details

  • Trial Length 101 nights (14-night break-in period)

  • Warranty Lifetime, Limited

  • Trial Length / Warranty

    101 nights (14-night break-in period) / Lifetime, Limited

  • Type Hybrid

  • Firmness Medium (5)

  • Price $899 – $2,098

Sleep Doctor’s Take

The Puffy Lux is one of the softest and most adaptive hybrids our team has tested. A comfort system with thick foam layers creates a cradling, cloud-like surface with plenty of cushioning for side sleepers and minimal responsiveness from the coil system.

Highlights

  • Deep foam layers contour closely and alleviate pressure points
  • Above-average motion isolation for a hybrid model
  • Cover is stain-resistant and machine-washable

Drawbacks

  • May not provide enough support for side sleepers over 230 pounds
  • Foam layers can trap and absorb heat

Since side sleepers often gravitate toward softer mattresses, hybrids — which tend to be on the firmer side — can be less than ideal. The Puffy Lux Hybrid is a notable exception. Three thick foam layers make up the comfort system, giving the surface an exceptionally plush feel. This ensures ample padding for the shoulders and hips — areas where side sleepers experience the most pressure buildup. 

How Does It Feel?

We’ve rated the Lux Hybrid as medium, or a 5 on our 10-point firmness scale. Although the foam layers contour closely and hug your body, the coil system provides just enough pushback to prevent excessive sinkage for people who weigh 230 pounds or less. Many of our testers likened their experience with this mattress to lying on a cloud.

If you normally sleep with a partner, neither of you should notice much transfer when the other person changes positions or gets up during the night. That said, the mattress is not very responsive and you may encounter some resistance when moving across the surface. A knit cover encases the mattress. The fabric is stain-resistant, and you may remove and machine-wash the cover for quick, easy cleaning.

Why We Like It

Our tests indicate the Puffy Lux Hybrid outperforms many competing hybrids in terms of pressure relief. Using body-mapping technology, we found the foam layers provide enough cradling to prevent pressure buildup for side sleepers. Those weighing up to 230 pounds felt most comfortable on the mattress. Most of our heavier side sleepers also awarded the Lux Hybrid favorable ratings, though some noted excessive sinkage.

Motion isolation was another testing highlight. We felt little to no motion transfer when lying next to another tester and feeling for movement. If ease of movement and edge support are your top priorities, we recommend a firmer, bouncier mattress. The same is true if you’re a hot sleeper — the Lux Hybrid’s temperature control is decent, but not as strong as hybrids we’ve tested with more breathable comfort layers.

The Lux Hybrid is available in seven sizes, including a split king for couples who share an adjustable bed. Standard ground shipping is free within the contiguous U.S. Puffy backs each purchase with a 101-night sleep trial, and those who keep their mattress after the trial ends receive a lifetime warranty.

Best Value

Cocoon Chill Hybrid

Sleep Doctor

4.6

Details

  • Trial Length 100 Nights (30-Night Requirement)

  • Warranty 10 Year, Limited

  • Trial Length / Warranty

    100 Nights (30-Night Requirement) / 10 Year, Limited

  • Type Hybrid

  • Firmness Medium Firm (6)

  • Price $839 – $1,699

Sleep Doctor’s Take

A high-quality hybrid mattress can easily cost you $1,500 or more, so the relatively inexpensive Cocoon Chill Hybrid should appeal to shoppers with limited budgets. Adaptive foam layers over a sturdy coil base deliver the balance of cushioning and support side sleepers need.

Highlights

  • Dual-layer comfort system provides deep cushioning and contouring
  • Phase change cover helps offset heat retention
  • Below-average pricing for a hybrid

Drawbacks

  • Potentially too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds
  • Strong off-gassing odor after the mattress is unboxed

The Cocoon Chill Hybrid combines the even contouring of memory foam with sturdy pocketed coils, creating a balanced design with deep cushioning beneath the shoulders and hips. Its sticker price is quite low compared to the average foam hybrid, yet high-quality materials and strong performance allow the mattress to compete with more expensive competitors.

How Does It Feel?

The Chill Hybrid contains a memory foam comfort layer and polyfoam transitional layer. The former contours closely and evenly, creating a cradle that molds to your body’s unique curves, and the latter adds extra cushioning while forming a buffer between your body and the support core. We’ve rated the mattress as medium firm (6) due to its overall feel, but the surface is still highly adaptive.

Pocketed coils and dense base foam make up the support core. The perimeter is reinforced with stronger coils to limit sinkage when you sleep near the edges of the mattress or get in and out of bed. A cover woven with phase change fibers encases the mattress. Phase change material is engineered to dissipate heat on contact, making the cover fabric cool to the touch at all times.

Why We Like It

Our hands-on tests show the Chill Hybrid is best suited to side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds. All of our testers who meet this criteria enjoyed the mattress for its deep cushioning around the shoulders and hips. Side sleepers on our team weighing less than 130 pounds gave the mattress good ratings, but some found the surface a bit too firm.

Many memory foam hybrids we’ve tested struggle with uncomfortable heat retention, but our tests indicate the Chill Hybrid is an outlier. The phase change cover effectively offsets heat absorption from the foam layers — none of us felt excessively warm while lying on the mattress. 

In addition to its reasonable pricing, the Chill Hybrid also qualifies for free ground delivery throughout the contiguous U.S. Cocoon’s sleep trial runs for 100 nights. Those who decide to keep the mattress receive a manufacturer’s warranty covering various defects for up to 10 years after the purchase date.

Best for Spinal Alignment

Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress

Sleep Doctor

4.5

Amazon

3.6

Details

  • Trial Length 90 nights (30-night requirement)

  • Warranty 15 Year, Limited

  • Trial Length / Warranty

    90 nights (30-night requirement) / 15 Year, Limited

  • Type Hybrid

  • Firmness Medium (5), Medium Firm (6)

  • Price $849 – $1349

Sleep Doctor’s Take

Available in two firmness levels to accommodate side sleepers in different weight groups, the Eco Terra uses responsive organic latex and zoned coils to maintain an even sleep surface. This design ensures optimal alignment and fewer pressure points along the spine.

Highlights

  • Breathable wool, latex, cotton, and coils help regulate temperature
  • Talalay latex cradles the body to relieve pressure
  • Two firmness levels

Drawbacks

  • Bouncy surface limits motion isolation
  • Latex lacks the close contouring of foam

Side sleepers can have trouble maintaining spinal alignment on a mattress that sinks too much beneath the weight of their midsections and shoulders. The Eco Terra combats this issue with zoned coils and responsive cushioning to help keep the body on an even plane.

How Does It Feel?

The Eco Terra’s comfort system begins with a layer of GOTS-certified organic wool that offers a bit of surface cushioning while acting as a natural fire barrier. Underneath is a layer of Talalay latex that cradles, rather than adapts, to your body to alleviate pressure buildup. Since latex is naturally responsive, it also traps less heat than materials like memory foam.

Pocketed coils make up the support core. Thicker gauge coils are zoned in the center of the mattress to prevent uncomfortable sagging and along the mattress perimeter for enhanced edge support. A breathable cover made from GOTS-certified organic cotton encases the mattress.

Why We Like It

You can choose between two firmness levels: medium (5) and medium firm (6). Our testing found the mattress best suited to side and back sleepers, but testers preferred different models depending on their body type. Side and back sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds enjoyed the softer model. Meanwhile, the firmer model suited side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Stomach sleepers may also enjoy the medium firm model, but those weighing more than 230 pounds may need a firmer mattress.

Both models excelled in several tests, including temperature control and ease of movement. Thanks to the use of breathable cotton, wool, latex, and coils, the mattress felt extremely comfortable for our hot sleepers. Our heat guns detected minimal heat buildup on the surface. Couples who prioritize responsiveness for sex should also enjoy the mattress. We could move across the surface without restriction or slipping off at the edges.

Eco Terra ships free to customers in the contiguous U.S. and offers a 90-night sleep trial to test the mattress. Should you decide to keep it, the mattress is backed by a 15-year warranty.

Best Firmness Options

DLX Premier Hybrid

Sleep Doctor

4.3

Details

  • Trial Length 120 nights (30-night requirement)

  • Warranty Lifetime, Limited

  • Trial Length / Warranty

    120 nights (30-night requirement) / Lifetime, Limited

  • Type Hybrid

  • Firmness Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)

  • Price $1,699 – $2,499

Sleep Doctor’s Take

Nailing down your ideal firmness is key to getting a good night’s sleep, and some mattresses don’t give you many options. The DLX Premier Hybrid lets you choose from three firmness levels ranging from medium soft to firm, as well as a split design with a different feel on each half of the bed.

Highlights

  • Adaptive foam layers provide ample cushioning for side sleepers
  • Available in four firmness levels, including a dual-firmness option
  • Reinforced perimeter coils minimize sinkage along the edges

Drawbacks

  • High potential for strong initial off-gassing
  • Firm feel not available with split design

If you’re looking for a mattress with a wide firmness selection, the DLX Premier Hybrid is available in four distinct designs. You can choose from standard models with medium soft (4), medium firm (6), or firm (8) feels. If you and your partner have different firmness preferences, you can also opt for a split model that feels medium soft on one half of the bed and medium firm on the other.

How Does It Feel?

How the Premier Hybrid feels depends on which firmness you choose. The medium soft design contours closely to cradle your body, but may sink too much if you weigh more than 230 pounds. Side sleepers in this weight group should consider either the medium firm model, which conforms to a moderate extent, or the firm model, which feels exceptionally supportive and contours very little.

The dual-firmness design is an intriguing alternative for co-sleepers who need different cushioning levels. This option shares the same price-point as the other three, so you won’t pay more for the split style. Robust coils ensure a relatively stable base for the mattress no matter which firmness you choose. A reinforced perimeter cuts down on sinkage when you sit or lie along the edges. Another notable feature is the layer of viscose fiber batting sewn to the cover, which creates bursts of cooling directly beneath the surface.

Why We Like It

The DLX Premier Hybrid impressed the side sleepers on our testing team, though they were divided as to which firmness best met their needs. Side sleepers under 130 pounds preferred the medium soft feel, those weighing 130 to 230 pounds awarded the highest marks to the medium firm model, and those over 230 pounds felt adequately supported on the firm model.

Our team found that each version of the DLX Premier Hybrid performed well in certain testing areas. If motion isolation and pressure relief are your top priorities, we recommend the medium soft model. The medium firm and firm designs performed better in categories like ease of movement, edge support, and temperature control.

DLX offers free ground shipping to customers in the contiguous U.S. If you aren’t satisfied with the Premier Hybrid after 30 nights, the company works with you to explore solutions, but you’ll have 120 nights to decide whether to keep the mattress or request a refund. A lifetime warranty covers structural and material defects in the mattress as long as you retain original ownership.

Best Luxury

Sonu Sleep System

Sleep Doctor

4.6

Details

  • Trial Length 100 nights (60-night requirement)

  • Warranty 5 Year, Limited

  • Trial Length / Warranty

    100 nights (60-night requirement) / 5 Year, Limited

  • Type Foam

  • Firmness Medium Soft (4), Medium (5), Firm (7)

  • Price(Queen) $

Sleep Doctor’s Take

The Sonu Mattress has a channeled design specifically intended to help side sleepers rest comfortably without experiencing pressure buildup in their shoulders. The softer feel and all-foam design are particularly well suited to side sleepers under 130 pounds.

Highlights

  • Comfort Channel allows the arm and shoulder to rest inside the mattress and prevent pressure buildup
  • All-foam composition significantly reduces pressure and movement transfer
  • Cooling gel-infused top layer helps combat heat retention

Drawbacks

  • Too soft for most back and stomach sleepers
  • Foam layers may absorb an excessive amount of body heat

The Sonu Mattress uses an innovative design specifically made to combat pressure buildup in a side sleeper’s shoulders. A unique Comfort Channel at the head of the bed allows you to place your arms inside the mattress to avoid crunching them under a pillow or cranking the neck.

How Does It Feel?

The mattress includes four support pillows featuring four layers of polyfoam each. These pillows sit in the Comfort Channel to support the head while allowing enough room for your arms to rest inside comfortably. The mattress body’s comfort system begins with a layer of gel-infused polyfoam that alleviates pressure points. This layer’s gel infusion is meant to keep the surface cool to the touch. Underneath is a second layer of polyfoam that enhances pressure relief while preventing your body from sinking too deeply into the mattress. This layer rests over high-density polyfoam, which reinforces the sleep surface. A soft stretch knit cover encases the mattress.

Why We Like It

Thanks to its innovative design, medium soft (4) feel, and all-foam construction, our side-sleeping testers awarded the Sonu its highest ratings. Our testers noticed very little pressure buildup in their shoulders thanks to the Comfort Channel, while the body of the mattress prevented sore spots in their hips. The foam layers also absorb most movement transfer and noise, making the mattress a great choice if you share the bed with a restless sleep partner. You should notice fewer disturbances from your partner’s nightly movement.

Sonu ships free to customers living in the contiguous U.S. A 100-night sleep trial allows you to test the mattress and return it anytime after the 60-night break-in period. The mattress is backed by a 5-year warranty against structural defects.

Best Pressure Relief

WinkBed

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Sleep Doctor

4.4

Details

  • Trial Length 120 nights (30 night requirement)

  • Warranty Lifetime, Limited

  • Trial Length / Warranty

    120 nights (30 night requirement) / Lifetime, Limited

  • Type Innerspring

  • Firmness Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)

  • Price $1,149 – $2,049

Sleep Doctor’s Take

Side sleepers are susceptible to pressure buildup in their shoulders and hips, so a mattress that alleviates these sore spots is a top priority for many. The WinkBed is a safe bet because you can choose from four firmness levels — and if you don’t like your first choice, you can exchange it for a softer or firmer model at no extra charge.

Highlights

  • Zoned coils provide extra reinforcement for the midsection
  • Four firmness levels to accommodate different sleep positions and body types
  • Cover is composed of breathable, moisture-wicking Tencel fabric

Drawbacks

  • Foam layers may emit strong off-gassing odor for the first few nights
  • Limited options for people who prefer exceptionally soft mattresses

The WinkBed combines dense, adaptive comfort layers with zoned pocketed coils, and the result is a mattress that cushions and supports your body in equal measure. You can choose from four firmness levels, including a “Plus” design specifically geared toward people who weigh more than 230 pounds.

How Does It Feel?

Standard WinkBed models are available in medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7) designs. These mattresses begin with a layer of adaptive polyfoam quilted into the Euro-top cover, followed by a second foam layer for additional cushioning. The WinkBed Plus (8) swaps out the second foam layer for 2.5 inches of zoned latex, so this model feels bouncier and doesn’t conform as closely as the other three.

The coils are divided into three zones with thicker springs resting beneath your torso and hips. This ensures extra reinforcement where most people carry the bulk of their weight and gentler cradling elsewhere. A breathable Tencel cover wicks away moisture on the surface.

Why We Like It

The WinkBed is a testing team favorite because each design feels distinct and caters to different types of sleepers. Our side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds preferred the medium soft model because the foam layers contour closely. Those weighing 130 to 230 pounds found the medium firm design more comfortable — this one contours to a moderate extent and resists sinkage well. If you’re a side sleeper who weighs more than 230 pounds, the firm and “Plus” models should both meet your needs.

The zoned coil system is a defining feature of the WinkBed. No matter how much you weigh, chances are your chest, stomach, and hips need more support than the rest of your body. By placing thicker coils under these areas, the WinkBed can keep your entire body on an even plane without feeling too rigid beneath your head and legs. We also awarded the mattress favorable ratings for temperature control across all four firmness levels.

WinkBeds offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Your initial sleep trial runs for 120 nights. If you decide to exchange your first choice for a model with a new firmness level, the replacement comes with its own 60-night trial. All WinkBeds are backed by lifetime warranties.

Best Cooling

Joybed LXP

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Sleep Doctor

4.2

Details

  • Trial Length 120 nights (30-night requirement, $139 processing fee)

  • Warranty 10 Year, Limited

  • Trial Length / Warranty

    120 nights (30-night requirement, $139 processing fee) / 10 Year, Limited

  • Type Hybrid

  • Firmness Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6)

  • Price $990 – $1,990

Sleep Doctor’s Take

The Joybed LXP’s coil-on-coil design is ideal for side sleepers who don’t need too much cushioning to sleep comfortably and need a mattress that regulates temperature well. You can choose between medium soft (4) and medium firm (6) designs based on your body type.

Highlights

  • Eco-friendly hybrid design pairs plush cotton batting with sturdy pocketed coils
  • Available in medium soft and medium firm designs
  • Breathable materials and steady airflow ensure excellent temperature regulation

Drawbacks

  • Lack of contouring may cause pressure buildup for side sleepers
  • Responsive surface limits motion isolation

Mattresses that sleep cool and feel comfortable for side sleepers are somewhat rare, since the deep cushioning layers needed for side sleeping are often associated with heat retention. The Joybed LXP offers an unconventional hybrid design that promotes airflow while promoting even alignment and reducing pressure in the shoulders and hips – essential qualities for those who primarily use the side position.

How Does It Feel?

Rather than using foam or latex, the LXP is constructed with a top layer of plush fibers derived from potato plants. This is followed by a wool layer sandwiched between two layers of cotton batting. All of these materials are highly breathable, resulting in excellent surface airflow. Next is a layer of nano coils and a support core of pocketed coils. Both circulate air throughout the interior to help the mattress maintain a comfortable core temperature.

Why We Like It

The LXP is available in two firmness levels. After testing both, we found that the medium soft (4) option is best suited to side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. While the comfort layers don’t adapt to the body like foam or latex, we noticed deep cushioning and even weight distribution. The side sleepers on our team weighing more than 230 pounds preferred the extra support of the medium firm (6) feel. Our back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds also felt comfortable on the medium firm design.

The cotton used in the LXP’s cover and batting layer has received certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard, ensuring the material has been sustainably grown and processed. The plant-based fibers – which serve as a natural fiber barrier – do not contain any added chemicals. As a bonus for eco-conscious individuals, the coils are joined using a plant-based adhesive.

The LXP is reasonably priced, and customers in the contiguous U.S. enjoy free ground shipping. Mattress returns are accepted within 120 days of delivery, and those who keep their LXP also receive a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Why You Should Trust Us

When it comes to choosing the right bed for a good night’s sleep, you can trust our sleep experts’ years of industry experience. Our team of product analysts personally tests each mattress we review, paying attention to issues of specific concern to different kinds of sleepers, such as firmness, durability, and pressure relief.

Since our team includes individuals with different weights and preferred sleep positions, we gather both scientific and firsthand insight into how each model performs.

How to Buy a Mattress for Side Sleepers Video

Watch our video below for some in-depth tips on how to find the best mattress for side sleepers.

What Do Side Sleepers Need for a Good Night's Sleep?

Side sleepers generally need a mattress that promotes spinal alignment and relieves pressure points. We’ll review some of the key mattress features for side sleepers to keep in mind.

opening quote icon Side sleepers put more pressure on their hips and shoulders, which can cause real issues over time if their mattress is too firm – or so old it is no longer supportive. Look for a mattress on the soft to medium-firm side that offers contouring while also providing support. opening quote icon
Dr. Michael Breus, Clinical Psychologist, Sleep Medicine Expert and Combination Sleeper

Find the Type of Mattress That Works for You

Shoppers can choose from a variety of mattress types, including foam, innerspring, latex, hybrid, and airbed models. Each construction offers potential benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the style that meets your specific needs.

Pick the Right Mattress Firmness

We rate mattress firmness on a 10-point scale. We’ve found that side sleepers tend to prefer medium soft (4) to medium firm (6) mattresses, though preferences can vary based on body type. Our tests have shown that side sleepers under 130 pounds usually prefer a softer model, while those over 230 pounds typically benefit from the extra support of a firmer mattress. 

Keep Your Spine Aligned

Mattresses that are too soft or too firm can cause the spine to become misaligned. To achieve good sleep posture, side sleepers usually need their hips and shoulders to sink into the mattress without sagging. 

Best Mattress Types for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers generally look for a mattress that combines pressure relief and spinal support. Several mattress types offer this contouring and support in different ways. 

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses typically contain several layers of foam, such as memory foam and polyfoam. Most foam models we test have notable cradling. While soft to medium firm options are most common, firmer models are also available.

Either memory foam or polyfoam can offer significant pressure relief. However, some side sleepers prefer mattresses with memory foam comfort layers because of the material’s especially close conforming. Exceptional contouring can redistribute a side sleeper’s weight and ease pressure around their hips and shoulders. 

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses usually contain either foam or latex comfort layers combined with a coil support core. This design tends to fair well with side sleepers in our evaluations. While the comfort system contours to relieve pressure, the coils add bounce, responsiveness, and breathability.

What About Innerspring Beds?

In the past, innerspring mattresses had few or no comfort layers covering the coil core. However, some manufacturers now use the terms innerspring and hybrid interchangeably. If you’re considering a hybrid or innerspring bed, we recommend choosing a model with enough contouring to support the spine and prevent pressure buildup. 

Latex Mattresses

While some latex mattresses use synthetic latex made from petrochemicals, most models use natural latex processed from the sap of rubber trees. The material has a slightly conforming feel that has more bounce than memory foam.

Latex models tend to cradle a side sleeper’s body without hugging it. Since the material also springs back quickly when the sleeper moves, our testers often give latex mattresses exceptional marks in ease of movement. Additionally, latex’s open-cell structure increases airflow to promote cooler sleep. 

What's the Best Mattress Firmness for Side Sleepers?

While side sleepers tend to prefer softer mattresses than back or stomach sleepers, mattress firmness is subjective, and the ideal firmness for a side sleeper also depends on their body type.

Our Firmness Scale and the Ideal Range for Side Sleepers

We rate all the beds we test on a 10-point firmness scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. Based on our scale, the ideal firmness for side sleepers is generally between 3 and 7, with most side sleepers preferring a medium soft (4) to medium firm (6) mattress.

The side sleepers on our testing team who weigh under 130 pounds usually favor models on the softer end of this range. Firmer models often do not mold to their hips and shoulders enough to relieve pressure or promote good posture.

Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds tend to get the best balance of cradling and support from models close to the center of the range, while most of our team members who weigh over 230 pounds prefer firmer options to prevent their hips and shoulders from sagging. 

Are Firm Mattresses Bad for Side Sleepers?

Firm mattresses are not ideal for most side sleepers. They generally don’t compress enough under the hips and shoulders to relieve pressure and promote a neutral spine position, which can lead to discomfort. However, a firmer mattress may be appropriate for individuals over 230 pounds who need extra support. 

Side Sleeping and Keeping Your Spine Aligned

It’s important to keep your spine properly aligned as you sleep. This means the spine should be fairly straight. Typically, mattresses with a medium soft to medium firm feel provide appropriate spinal support to side sleepers.

Mattresses that are too soft can allow the hips and shoulders to sag, putting pressure on the lower back. On the other hand, mattresses that are too firm push back against these wider body parts, creating pressure points and preventing the spine from staying straight. Improper spinal alignment can disturb your sleep and may also contribute to back pain.

As you shop, you may see models with zoned layers. These layers are designed to provide extra support for the heavier midsection of the body, which helps keep the back in a straighter line.

mattress
In the pressure relief map above, we see how a medium firm mattress cradles our side-sleeping tester’s shoulders and hips while delivering support to the rest of the body. The even balance of support and cushioning promotes healthy spinal alignment.

What Kind of Mattress Can Help With Back Pain?

Our in-house testers who sleep on their side often report experiencing less back pain when lying on memory foam models. This type of foam conforms closely to the body, easing pressure points and distributing weight across the bed. However, the best mattress for back pain also depends on your body size. The right mattress should contour to your body without sagging excessively under your weight.

Tips to Help Keep Your Spine Aligned

In addition to a mattress that balances support and cradling, we recommend that side sleepers select pillows that support their spinal alignment.

Head Pillow: A pillow for your head should have enough loft to fill the space between your head, your shoulder, and the mattress. This can help keep your head, neck, and spine in alignment. Most side sleepers prefer a medium- to high-loft pillow with a midrange firmness

Leg or Knee Pillow: Some side sleepers also place a pillow between their knees to help prevent hip rotation, relieve pressure on the hips and lower back, and improve spinal alignment.

About The Author

David Rubin

Certified Sleep Science Coach, Director of Product Testing

David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity.

  • Position: Side sleeper
  • Temperature: Hot Sleeper
  • Chronotype: Lion