Side sleeping is the most common way adults sleep. In a 2017 study of 664 adults, participants spent 54% of their time in bed on their side. Back sleeping came second at 37.5%.
That position puts most of your weight on one shoulder and one hip. On a mattress that’s too firm, those joints take the pressure all night. On one that’s too soft, your hips sink, and your spine bends out of line.
To find the best mattresses for side sleepers, we compared firmness ratings, comfort layer depth and independent lab results. We also reviewed owner feedback on shoulder pain, heat and sagging. The seven picks below cover a range of budgets, from plush all-foam beds to zoned hybrids.
The Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers at a Glance
Why Side Sleepers Need Something Different
When you lie on your side, your shoulder and hip carry most of your weight. A good mattress lets them sink in while keeping your spine level.
Too firm, and those joints get jammed. Too soft, and your hips sag out of line. That’s why we lean toward medium soft to medium firm beds with thicker comfort layers.
Our Picks for the Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
DreamCloud Premier 13″ Queen Mattress, Luxury Hybrid Gel Memory Foam
View on AmazonThe DreamCloud Premier is the bed we’d hand most side sleepers first. It pairs a quilted cashmere blend Euro top with contouring memory foam and individually wrapped coils. That mix gives shoulders a soft landing without the stuck feeling of pure foam.
Below the comfort layers sit about 8.5 inches of pocketed coils with reinforced edges. Independent testers rate it a true medium firm, around a 6 to 6.5 out of 10. Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds tend to love it most.
Heads up here: lighter side sleepers may find it a touch firm at first. The Euro top softens that, but it’s not a cloud. The 365-night trial and Forever Warranty take most of the risk out of finding out.
What We Like
- Euro top cushions shoulders and hips
- Coils stop you from sinking too deep
- Reinforced edges for sitting and getting up
- Coil core breathes better than all-foam beds
- One of the longest home trials around
Worth Noting
- Can feel firm for side sleepers below 130 pounds
- Heavy and awkward to move solo
- Some owners call it plusher than advertised
Our take: If you want one safe bet among the best mattresses for side sleepers, this is it. It balances cushion and lift better than anything else at this tier.
Vibe Gel Memory Foam Mattress, 12 Inch CertiPUR-US Certified Bed in a Box
View on AmazonThe Vibe Gel Memory Foam Mattress is proof that side sleeper comfort doesn’t need a luxury label. It stacks 2 inches of gel memory foam over 3 inches of gel support foam. A 7-inch high-density base sits underneath.
Sleep Foundation testers put its feel near a 4 out of 10, so it leans plush. They found it performs well for side sleepers of all body types. Pressure relief was its standout score.
We like the convoluted base, which is split into two ridged pieces for better airflow. Don’t be fooled by the word gel, though. It still sleeps like memory foam, so hot sleepers should look at our cooling pick instead.
What We Like
- Plush, enveloping feel that cradles shoulders
- Strong motion isolation for couples
- CertiPUR-US certified foams
- Great value for an all-foam bed
- Works on adjustable bases
Worth Noting
- Too soft for most stomach sleepers
- Owners mention an initial foam odor
- Edges compress when you sit near them
- Sleeps warmer than a hybrid
Our take: This is the easiest yes for a guest room or a first apartment. Lighter and average-weight side sleepers get real pressure relief at an entry-level tier.
Layla 10″ Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress, Flippable Soft and Medium Firm
Layla 10″ Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress, Flippable Soft and Medium Firm
View on AmazonThe Layla takes the guesswork out of picking a firmness online. One side is soft and the other is medium firm, so you can flip it.
The soft side uses 3 inches of copper-infused memory foam and rates around a 4 out of 10. That’s the side we’d point most side sleepers toward. The firm side has just 1 inch of the same foam and lands near a 7.
Layla says the copper helps pull heat away and resists odor. Some owners aren’t convinced it makes a big cooling difference, and we’d call it modest. Edge support is also on the soft side, so sitting on the rim feels squishy.
What We Like
- Two firmness levels in one bed
- Soft side contours deeply around shoulders
- Made in the USA
- Copper foam has natural antimicrobial properties
- Listing includes two memory foam pillows
Worth Noting
- Weak edge support
- Cooling benefit is mild
- Thinner profile than most picks here
Our take: If you can’t decide between soft and firm, the Layla lets you test both. Most side sleepers will settle on the soft side and stay there.
EGOHOME King 14 Inch Memory Foam Mattress, Copper Gel Infused, Medium Firm
EGOHOME King 14 Inch Memory Foam Mattress, Copper Gel Infused, Medium Firm
View on AmazonThe EGOHOME 14 Inch is for side sleepers who also wake up with a stiff lower back. Its therapeutic medium firm feel holds the hips higher than the plush picks here. The foam comes from MLILY and is made in the USA.
Up top, copper gel AeroFusion memory foam contours to shoulders and helps manage moisture. A graphene-infused cover feels cool to the touch when you first lie down. The bed is CertiPUR-US certified, fiberglass free and endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association.
Worth knowing: most of that 14-inch height is support foam, not plush comfort foam. Lightweight side sleepers may want a topper for extra shoulder give. Some owners also report it holds heat once the cover warms up.
What We Like
- Firm enough to keep hips aligned
- Cool-touch graphene cover
- Fiberglass free and CertiPUR-US certified
- Endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association
- Strong motion isolation
Worth Noting
- Comfort layer is thin for its height
- Can trap heat for hot sleepers
- May feel stiff for petite side sleepers
Our take: Pick this if back support matters as much as shoulder relief. Combination side and back sleepers will get the most out of it.
Nectar Classic 12″ Memory Foam Mattress, Medium Firm
Nectar Classic 12″ Memory Foam Mattress, Medium Firm
View on AmazonThe Nectar Classic is one of the most familiar names in boxed foam, and the newest version refreshes it. It now has a cool-to-the-touch cover and a re-engineered memory foam comfort layer. The support foam core is taller too.
Reviewers peg it at medium firm, roughly a 6 to 7 out of 10. GoodBed found good spinal alignment for most side sleepers outside the heaviest group. Motion isolation is excellent, so a restless partner barely registers.
Heads up here: petite side sleepers may find it a bit firm at the shoulder. If that’s you, the Vibe or the Layla soft side will feel kinder. The 365-night trial and Forever Warranty are hard to beat, though.
What We Like
- Excellent motion isolation
- Balanced support for back and side sleeping
- Cool-touch cover on the new version
- Year-long home trial
- Ready to sleep on in about 24 hours
Worth Noting
- Firm for lightweight side sleepers
- Slow-moving foam makes turning over slower
- Not cool enough for very hot sleepers
Our take: This is the safe all-foam pick for couples sharing a bed. Average-weight side sleepers who like a little firmness will feel right at home.
Helix Midnight Luxe Hybrid Mattress
Helix Midnight Luxe Hybrid Mattress
View on AmazonHelix built the Midnight Luxe specifically for side sleepers, and it shows. A quilted pillow top cradles shoulders, hips and knees from the moment you lie down. Below it sit layers of memory foam and responsive foam.
The support core uses around 1,000 individually wrapped coils with zoned lumbar support. Those coils firm up under your waist and around the perimeter, which keeps your spine straight. Helix rates the feel around a 5 to 6 out of 10.
Tom’s Guide and other testers have repeatedly ranked it a top pick for side sleepers. It sits at the premium end of this list, so treat it as an investment. The 15-year warranty helps justify that.
What We Like
- Purpose-built for side sleeping
- Zoned lumbar coils keep hips aligned
- Reinforced perimeter for sturdy edges
- Breathable, moisture-wicking TENCEL cover
- Great for couples with mixed sleep positions
Worth Noting
- Premium tier investment
- Too soft for most stomach sleepers
- Heavy, two-person setup
Our take: This is the most side-sleeper-specific bed in our lineup. If shoulder and hip pain is your main problem, start here.
Sweetnight CoolNest 14 Inch King Size Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Sweetnight CoolNest 14 Inch King Size Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
View on AmazonThe Sweetnight CoolNest is the pick for side sleepers who wake up sweaty. It combines a cool-to-the-touch knit cover with PCMflux foam, which is infused with phase change material. Sweetnight claims it can feel up to 8 degrees cooler.
Below that sits about 2 inches of perforated gel memory foam and a 5-zone ergonomic support system. Sleep Foundation rates the 14-inch version a medium 5 out of 10. Its testers found the deep contouring a good match for most side sleepers.
We’d treat the cooling claims as relative, not magic. Testers noticed some lingering warmth when changing positions, but far less heat buildup than typical memory foam. Motion isolation is one of its strongest scores.
What We Like
- Noticeably cooler surface than standard memory foam
- Deep contouring at the shoulder
- Excellent motion isolation
- CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified
- Strong value for a 14-inch bed
Worth Noting
- The “8 degrees cooler” figure comes from brand lab data
- Some warmth lingers when you shift positions
- Thick profile, so check your frame and sheet depth
Our take: If heat is what breaks your sleep, this is the one we’d try first. It pairs real side sleeper contouring with cooling that goes beyond a gel label.
Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers Compared
| Model | Type | Height | Firmness | Cooling Feature | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DreamCloud Premier 13″ Queen Mattress | Hybrid | 13″ | Medium firm (6 to 6.5/10) | Coil airflow, cashmere blend cover | Forever |
| Vibe Gel Memory Foam Mattress, 12 Inch | All-foam | 12″ | Medium soft (about 4/10) | Gel foams, convoluted base | 10-year limited |
| Layla 10″ Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress | Flippable foam | 10.5″ | Soft 4/10, firm 7/10 | Copper-infused memory foam | Lifetime |
| EGOHOME King 14 Inch Memory Foam Mattress | All-foam | 14″ | Medium firm | Copper gel foam, graphene cover | 10-year limited |
| Nectar Classic 12″ Memory Foam Mattress | All-foam | 12″ | Medium firm (6 to 7/10) | Cool-to-the-touch cover | Forever |
| Helix Midnight Luxe Hybrid Mattress | Hybrid | 13.5″ | Medium (5 to 6/10) | Coil airflow, TENCEL pillow top | 15 years |
| Sweetnight CoolNest 14 Inch King Size Mattress | All-foam | 14″ | Medium (about 5/10) | Phase change foam, cool-touch cover | 10 years |
How to Choose the Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Firmness
For most side sleepers, we look for medium soft to medium firm, around 4 to 6.5 out of 10. That range lets shoulders sink while your waist stays supported. Lighter sleepers should stay softer, and heavier sleepers firmer.
Comfort Layer Depth
Total height can mislead you. We care more about how many inches of soft foam sit above the support core. Two to three inches of plush foam is a good starting point for side sleepers.
Foam vs. Hybrid
All-foam beds hug closely and isolate motion well. Hybrids add coils for bounce, airflow and sturdier edges. If you change positions often or run hot, we’d lean hybrid.
Body Weight
Body weight changes how firm a bed feels. Side sleepers below 130 pounds usually need a softer surface to get any sink at all. Sleepers above 230 pounds need thicker layers and coils to avoid bottoming out.
Cooling
Memory foam traps body heat more than most materials. We look for gel, copper or phase change infusions, plus breathable covers and coil cores. Treat brand cooling numbers as relative claims, not guarantees.
Trial, Warranty and Edges
A new mattress can take a few weeks to break in. When possible, we favor home trials of 100 nights or more, and check each listing’s return terms. Strong edges matter too if you sit on the side to get dressed.
Pro Tip: Check Your Pillow Before You Blame the Mattress
Side sleepers need a thicker, firmer pillow that fills the gap between ear and shoulder. If your head tilts down, your neck and upper back pay for it. We also suggest a knee pillow to keep your hips stacked and your lower back neutral.
And give any new bed about 30 nights before you decide. Your body needs time to adjust.
Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers: FAQ
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers do best between medium soft and medium firm. That’s roughly 4 to 6.5 on a 10-point scale. Go softer if you’re petite and firmer if you’re heavier.
Is memory foam or a hybrid better for side sleepers?
Both can work well. Memory foam offers deeper contouring and better motion isolation. Hybrids like the Helix Midnight Luxe and DreamCloud Premier add bounce, airflow and edge support.
Why do shoulders hurt after sleeping on your side?
Usually the mattress is too firm to let your shoulder sink in. That pushes weight into the joint and can leave your arm numb by morning. A thicker comfort layer or a soft topper often helps.
How thick should a mattress be for side sleepers?
We’d aim for at least 10 inches total. Every pick on our list falls between 10 and 14 inches. Comfort layer depth matters more than total height, though.
Are cooling mattresses worth it for side sleepers?
If you sleep hot, yes. Side sleeping presses more of your body into the foam, which can trap warmth. Phase change foams, gel infusions and coil cores all help release that heat.
Can a flippable mattress work for side sleepers?
Yes, and the Layla is a good example. Its soft side has 3 inches of memory foam for shoulder relief. If it feels too soft, you can flip to the firmer side.
How long does a mattress for side sleepers last?
A quality foam or hybrid bed typically lasts around 7 to 10 years. Side sleepers put concentrated pressure on the shoulder and hip zone, so watch for dips there. Rotating the mattress head to foot every few months spreads out wear.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and availability can change, so check each Amazon listing for the latest information. Our picks are based on our research into brand specs, independent lab reviews and verified owner feedback.
