6 spine and sleep experts pick the 4 best mattresses for side-sleepers

Written by Elizabeth Fuhrman
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6 spine and sleep experts pick the 4 best mattresses for side-sleepers

Everyone has their preferred sleeping position, be it back, side, stomach (or, sometimes, an unconscious combination of all three). But each one calls for slightly different mattress makeups, whether we’re talking inner-spring mattresses, memory foam, or a hybrid combination of both. 

There are so many options out there for any of these sleep preferences, so while it can seem overwhelming, it’s actually a huge plus when finding the perfect mattress for your sleep style. 

After all, “buying a mattress is not only a big financial purchase, but it is an important purchase,” says Dr. Daniella Marchetti, Ph.D., DBSM, a licensed clinical psychologist and PSYPACT-certified sleep specialist. 

“We are in our beds every night for one-third of our day, so if you have a mattress that is not the right fit for you, over time it will become a problem,” says Marchetti. “When you’re shopping for mattresses, understand that it is not one size fits all.”

What to look for in a mattress for side-sleepers 

If you’re a dedicated side-sleeper, you’ll “need a mattress that offers good cushioning in the shoulders and hips where more pressure will naturally fall—think memory foam or a soft hybrid,” says Marchetti. 

Just keep in mind that you might have to replace your mattress a little more often than the general guidelines of every seven to 10 years.

“The downside of plush mattresses is that due to the material being so soft, a lot of them will wear and begin to sink in after a few years, needing to be replaced sooner than some other types of mattresses,” says Scottsdale-based chiropractor and certified strength and conditioning specialist Matt Tanneberg.

Ready to find your best night’s sleep yet? Six sleep experts share their favorite mattresses for side-sleepers below. 

Experts’ top picks for best mattress for side sleepers

Helix Midnight, from $1,332: Fantastic pressure relief and spinal alignment

$1332 Helix Sleep

Saatva Classic, from $2,179: Luxury pick for ahhh-worthy deep sinkage

$2179 Saatva

Nectar Premier Memory Foam, from $949: Pressure-relief, cooling technology, and low motion transfer make this a great all-rounder 

$949 Nectar

Nectar Premier Hybrid, from $1,099: Excellent balance of cushioning and support with this hybrid mattress

$1099 Nectar

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Best for pressure relief Helix Midnight, from $1,332 for a queen at Helix Sleep

“For side sleepers, pressure relief and alignment are everything,” says spinal and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo. “The Helix Midnight has the right balance of contour and support. Its foam layers cushion the shoulders and hips so they don’t take the brunt of your body weight, while the coil base keeps your spine from bending out of line. I recommend it because it reduces the strain I often see in the lower back and neck from too-soft or uneven surfaces. It’s one of the few mattresses that feels comfortable immediately but still holds up over time.” 

This is “a medium-firmness memory foam option that cushions hips and shoulders and is ideal for preventing the aches side sleepers often get from overly firm beds,” says Dr. Allie Buttarazzi, a Maine-based lifestyle medicine and primary care physician who helps women improve sleep and build sustainable health habits.

$1,332 for a queen at Helix Sleep

Best luxury mattress for side sleepers Saatva Classic, from $2,179 for a queen at Saatva

“Side sleepers typically need a medium to medium-firm feel and moderate to deep sinkage,” says Derek Hales, professional mattress tester and founder of top mattress-review site NapLab. 

His top pick is this perennial expert favorite from Saatva. “This is a luxury, coil-on-coil mattress, with a medium-firm feel, deep sinkage, and incredible overall performance,” he says.   

Trial period: 365 nights

$2,179 for a queen at Saatva

Pros

  • ✓ Luxury model is all about that “sink into it” feeling 
  • ✓ Coil-on-coil model still gives sleepers excellent support
  • ✓ Long sleep trial period of 365 nights   

Cons

  • ✕ Motion isolation could be better 

Best-value mattress for side sleepers Nectar Premier Memory Foam, from $949 for a queen at Nectar

“For side sleepers, plush mattresses are typically going to be the comfiest and best option due to the amount of cushion they provide,” says Tanneberg, who heartily recommends the Nectar Premier Memory foam mattress for side sleepers. 

“People who sleep on their sides typically do best with plush mattresses as the extra cushion takes pressure off of the major contact points of side sleeping: your hip and your shoulder,” he says. 

Nectar’s model also “contours at the hips and shoulders while maintaining spinal neutrality, ideal for reducing pressure pain,” says Dr. Barbara Sparacino, a triple board-certified physician in adult and geriatric psychiatry who often addresses sleep challenges in work. 

Plus, with Nectar you get to test the mattress at home for 365 nights, and it comes with a Forever Warranty so you can sleep soundly. 

Trial period: 365 nights

$949 for a queen at Nectar

Pros

  • ✓ High motion isolation is great for couples 
  • ✓ Five layers of foam help with pressure relief 
  • ✓ Year-long sleep trial lets you buy with confidence

Cons

  • ✕ Not great for stomach sleepers

Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers Nectar Premier Hybrid, from $1,099 for a queen at Nectar

“This is actually the mattress that my partner and I sleep on at night,” says Marten Carlson, a certified sleep coach and professional mattress tester. “We are both side sleepers, and the thick memory foam on top relieves pressure on our shoulders and hips. I’m also a bigger person, while she is on the smaller side. We both feel comfy on the Nectar Premier Hybrid even though we have different body types.” 

Trial period: 365 nights

$1,099 for a queen at Nectar

Pros

  • ✓ Great pressure relief thanks to foam layers
  • ✓ Low motion transfer for couples
  • ✓ Cooling technology is a win for hot sleepers 

Cons

  • ✕ Some say the edge support could be better

FAQ

Most side sleepers do best with a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress that cushions pressure points at the hips and shoulders without letting the body sink too deeply. Too firm can cause pressure and misalignment, while too soft and you might not have enough spinal support. 

Side sleeping concentrates body weight on a smaller surface area, especially at the shoulders and hips. If you have a contouring mattress, it’ll help relieve pressure and maintain spinal alignment, which in turn can improve sleep quality and reduce next-morning aches and pains.

There are a ton of mattress options to choose from, but these three mattress styles are good starting points for side sleepers: 

  • Memory foam: Offers deep contouring and excellent pressure relief
  • Hybrid: Combines foam comfort with supportive coils
  • Latex: Responsive with natural contouring and airflow

When it comes to memory foam versus hybrid mattresses for side sleepers, there’s no bad answer. It’s all about what you prefer: 

  • Memory foam hugs curves and relieves pressure at hips and shoulders.
  • Hybrid mattresses’ coils give you better support and airflow while still allowing for comfy contouring.  

To reduce pressure buildup, look for a mattress with comfort layers or zoned support systems designed to contour around your body, especially around your hips and shoulders, while still providing enough spinal support and alignment.  

A mattress that’s around 10 to 12 inches thick is generally recommended for side sleepers: It allows room for the comfort layers to compress at pressure points without bottoming out the support core.

A mattress can help relieve back pain (though maybe not its underlying cause) if it provides a balanced combination of pressure relief and spine support. The right mattress helps your spine remain neutrally aligned while cushioning the shoulders and hips, which may reduce strain and nighttime discomfort associated with side sleeping. 
  • We only spoke to qualified mattress and sleep experts, such as spinal surgeons and mattress testers, to recommend products for this article. 
  • All recommendations from the featured sleep and mattress experts are independently chosen. They don’t have any brand affiliation with the featured brands or products.
  • We never pay experts for their recommendations.

If These Walls Could Talk” operates independently and exercises sole editorial discretion in all content decisions. While certain brands, products, or services referenced may have current or prior relationships with our affiliated marketing agency, such relationships do not influence our editorial content. We disclaim any liability for conflicts of interest, omissions, or outcomes arising from reliance on our content. All information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional or individualized advice.

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