best mattress for side sleepers

Sleeping on your side is one of the most common sleep positions, and for good reason—it can reduce snoring and improve circulation. However, finding the right mattress is crucial. Without proper support, side sleepers often wake up with numbness, tingling, or sharp pain in their hips and shoulders. This guide is dedicated to helping you find the best mattress for side sleepers, one that cradles your body and ensures you wake up feeling refreshed, not in pain.

What Do Side Sleepers Need in a Mattress?

When you sleep on your side, your body’s main pressure points are your hips and shoulders. A great mattress for a side sleeper must accomplish two key things:

1. Pressure Relief: The mattress needs to be soft enough to contour to your curves, allowing your hips and shoulders to sink in slightly. This prevents pressure buildup, which is the primary cause of pain and discomfort.
2. Spinal Alignment: While providing cushioning, the mattress must also be supportive enough to keep your spine in a straight, neutral line. If a mattress is too soft, your hips will sag, throwing your spine out of alignment and leading to back pain.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for the best mattress for side sleeping, keep these essential features in mind:

• Ideal Firmness: Most side sleepers do best with a Medium-Soft (4-6) to Medium-Firm (6-7) mattress. This “sweet spot” provides the perfect balance of softness for pressure relief and firmness for support.
• Mattress Type:
  • Memory Foam: Excellent for pressure relief as it contours closely to your body’s shape.
  • Hybrid: A great option that combines the contouring comfort of foam with the durable support of innerspring coils.
  • Latex: Offers a bouncier feel and good pressure relief, while also being very durable and cooling.
• Material Quality: High-density foams and quality coils will provide better support and last longer, preventing premature sagging that can ruin a side sleeper’s alignment.
• Zoned Support: Some advanced mattresses feature “zoned” support, with softer layers around the shoulders and firmer support under the hips and lower back. This is an ideal feature for side sleepers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a Firm Mattress: A firm mattress might feel supportive, but it will push against your hips and shoulders, creating painful pressure points.
• Ignoring Your Body Weight: Your weight affects how a mattress feels. Heavier side sleepers may need a firmer mattress to prevent excessive sinking, while lighter side sleepers may be more comfortable on a softer model.

Our Top Picks for Side Sleepers

We’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of mattresses to identify the top performers for side sleepers. Our recommendations are based on rigorous testing for pressure relief, spinal alignment, and overall comfort.

Explore our curated list below to find the perfect mattress that will provide the pain-free, restorative sleep you deserve.