The Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers, Tested and Reviewed by Us

So, you’ve picked out the best bed frame to fit your decor. Your bedding is all set. As for the right mattress? That’s a different story. We get it: There are so many types of beds to sift through—ranging from plush memory foam layers to cooling gel fills to firm innersprings—and it’s even more complicated when you have a specific sleep position. With this in mind, we’re here to point you to the very best mattresses made just for side sleepers. This is one of the most popular sleep positions—more than 60% of adults snooze on their sides—and it is especially common in those seeking pressure relief around the shoulders and hips.

We explore all the nuances surrounding the best mattresses for side sleepers below, but, in a nutshell from our experience testing mattresses, memory foam and hybrid beds like our Dreamcloud top overall pick are most typically recommended for side slumberers and offer a happy medium between comfort and zoned support.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress

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$1,719 $699 (59% off)

DreamCloud

A Comfortable Classic

Saatva Classic Mattress

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$2,179 $1,879 (14% off)

Saatva

The Affordable Option

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

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$649

Amazon

To put this all to the test, we called on the side sleepers on our team to try options from seven leading mattress brands to see how comfortable and supportive they really were. If you want more intel about what a side sleeper should consider when mattress shopping, jump to the bottom of this story for all the tips. Ahead, our editors and writers give in-depth accounts in their mattress tester testimonials. And be sure to browse all of our mattress review content in our Sleep Week page on how to design a dream bedroom.

Note: All of the prices in our guide reflect queen-size mattress options.

The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress

$1,719 $699 (59% off)

DreamCloud

• Reviewer: Nick Mafi, contributor
• How firm is the mattress? It’s a medium-firm mattress.
• How comfortable is it? 8.5/10

As a side sleeper, what attracted you to this mattress? I liked how I felt as if I was sinking into the mattress at just the perfect amount. As a result, my body felt as if it naturally, snugly fit into the bed.

What do you love about this mattress? I loved the soft cover on top of the mattress, and how nice it felt to the touch. What’s more, I tend to sleep with a harder Tempur-Pedic pillow. This is ideal for most side sleepers, as it allows the alignment of our head to be in a natural position throughout the night (and not subject to the whims of an older pillow). It’s worth mentioning that this pick comes with a lifetime warranty and a 365-night trial.

If you could change anything, what would it be? For this price point, I wouldn’t change much about this mattress. But, if pressed, it would be nice if the smell of the mattress wasn’t as mattress-y for the first week or so after unboxing. Perhaps they could lace the fabric with lavender or some other scent that would accompany the mattress for the first few weeks.

How does this mattress compare to others you’ve slept on? I consider this mattress to be among the next generation in that it arrives in a box, inflates very easily, and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. What’s more, the quality of the mattress is very good. What I mean by that is, upon laying on it, the product feels secure to the bed frame, and doesn’t move if my body does.

Would you recommend it to other side sleepers? Yes, absolutely.

How did delivery and setup go? Very easy delivery and setup. It was sent in the mail in a box. I had to unpack the plastic around the mattress, allow the mattress to air out for 48 hours, and then it was good to go. Incredibly seamless process.

Saatva Classic Mattress

$2,179 $1,879 (14% off)

Saatva

• Reviewer: Erin Kaplan, vice president of communications
• How firm is the mattress? 8/10
• How comfortable is it? 10/10

As a side sleeper, what attracted you to this mattress? The mattress offers support–and give–where needed, conforms to the body, and doesn’t allow you to sink into the bed too deeply.

What do you love about this mattress? It’s firm (which I prefer), regulates temperature well, and is extremely durable. I alternate between sleeping on my side and sleeping on my stomach, and this mattress is great for both positions.

If you could change anything, what would it be? I don’t think I would change anything. It’s a terrific mattress—no complaints!

How does this mattress compare to others you’ve slept on? The Saatva mattress offers more support and is firmer than mattresses I’ve had in the past. It also keeps me much cooler throughout the night—a huge plus for anyone who gets hot while sleeping. Overall, I get a better night’s sleep on a more consistent basis since I switched mattresses.

Would you recommend it to other side sleepers? Absolutely, it’s a very high-quality mattress and a terrific option, not just for side sleepers.

How did delivery and setup go? The delivery process was extremely easy. They were punctual, even early but with advance notice. I received a text letting me know the mattress would be delivered the next day. I then got a call that morning saying the movers would be arriving in 30 minutes. No additional setup was required.

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

$649

Amazon

$1,548 $649 (58% off)

Nectar

• Reviewer: Nick Mafi, contributor
• How firm is the mattress? Medium firm.
• How comfortable is it? 8.8/10

As a side sleeper, what attracted you to this mattress? As a side sleeper, I liked how my body conformed to the Nectar mattress. It felt like my body weight sunk into the mattress at just the right level of comfort.

What do you love about this mattress? I love how sleeping and sitting up in bed to read are both comfortable experiences in this mattress. It has great support in all areas, meaning that sitting up near the head of the bed to read before sleeping was also very comfortable. What’s more, I love the cover on the top of the mattress. It not only feels breathable to the touch, but with its quilted poly-blend technology, it also cools me down at night when I sleep.

If you could change anything, what would it be? At this competitive price point, I wouldn’t change much of anything.

How does this mattress compare to others you’ve slept on? It is certainly one of the best mattresses I’ve ever slept on. I think an overlooked element of any mattress is its sturdiness: Too many people tend to focus on the initial feeling of laying in bed, but over time, the sturdiness of the mattress is almost as important. And this one certainly has that element.

Would you recommend it to other side sleepers? Yes, absolutely. It is among the most comfortable mattresses I’ve slept on, and probably half the price of other similar sleep quality experiences.

How did delivery and setup go? Very easy delivery and setup. It was sent in the mail in a box. I had to unpack the plastic around the mattress, allow the mattress to air out for 48 hours, and then it was good to go. Incredibly seamless process.

PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress

$3,349 $1,849 (45% off)

PlushBeds

$3,149 $2,077 (34% off)

Wayfair

• Reviewer: Blake Bakkila, contributor
• How firm is the mattress? Medium firm.
• How comfortable is it? The duality of plushness and support is exceptional, and after years of using a classic spring mattress, I’m a happy convert.

As a side sleeper, what attracted you to this mattress? This latex mattress received rave reviews for support and comfort, and I was eager to try the medium firmness, which 80% of PlushBeds customers considered “ideal.” There are an impressive six layers packed into this mattress, each of which is made with organic cotton, organic wool, and organic and natural latex. While this was my first foam mattress, I’ve loved the feel overall and appreciate the peace of mind that comes with the certified organic materials.

What do you love about this mattress? I look forward to sinking into the mattress each night, but I never feel like it’s swallowing me or too plush. It offers solid motion retention, so I’ve rarely woken up when my husband gets up for work or goes downstairs to get our toddler out of his crib. The sides also have good edge support, so while it feels plush where I’m laying, I’ve never felt any sagging or sinking while sitting on the edge of the mattress.

If you could change anything about it, what would it be? The idea of moving this mattress ever again feels…daunting. It’s heavy and the three layers made it quite a process to set up. If you live in a multi-story walkup or can’t (or don’t want to) lift heavy items, this probably isn’t the mattress for you.

How does this mattress compare to other mattresses you’ve slept on? In the past, I’ve used much firmer innerspring mattresses, and this one is far more plush. As a toddler mom, a long, restful night’s sleep isn’t always guaranteed—but this mattress makes it significantly easier to drift off into dreamland. Its three tiers of latex cushioning provides unmatched comfort, and it’s been the ultimate addition to our sleep sanctuary. I will say, it took about a week to adjust to the mattress. Because it’s so layered, I think it took a few nights of sleeping on it to feel balanced and firm.

Would you recommend it to other side sleepers? Absolutely! I would just tell them to splurge on in-home delivery (especially if they have a two-story journey like we did!).

How did delivery and setup go? In-home setup is available starting at $299 (or starting at $449 if you also want a mattress removal), but I opted for the free FedEx delivery. Smaller mattresses ship fully assembled in one box, but mine (a king) arrived in two boxes: One with the cover and core of the mattress, and another with the three comfort layers. The materials were rolled up and compressed and in a plastic wrap.

For Hot Sleepers

Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress

$2,749 $1,399 (49% off)

Puffy

• Reviewer: Sam Cochran, global features director
• How firm is the mattress? The mattress is incredibly soft—some might say like a cloud, based on the logo, but I’ll go with whipped peaks of meringue. I know it’s a hybrid model, with a coil base topped by traditional memory foam. But the overwhelming sensation is one of gently sinking into the surface. I was too comfortable to really consider where one layer ended and the next began.
• How comfortable is it? 8/10

As a side sleeper, what attracted you to this mattress? I’m a side sleeper—and a very still side sleeper at that. I often wake up in the same position (right side down, hands beneath the head, legs slightly fetal) as the one in which I fall asleep. So I like the idea of being cradled in place by a foam bed, all the more so since my skinny 6'4" frame—especially my long neck and spine—enjoy extra support.

What do you love about this mattress? I love the feeling of sinking into it at night, the way the foam gives beneath your body. It really feels like the end of the day, an easy transition into relaxation mode and a nice wind down to REM cycle. I also share the bed with a restless snoozer, so I also love not being able to sense his every toss and turn.

If you could change anything, what would it be? I suspect there is a reason for this, but one end of the mattress is slightly rounded. Visually, I would have preferred crisp angles in all four corners. The mattress also has a slight synthetic odor upon unpacking it, so best to air out for a night.

How does this mattress compare to others you’ve slept on? Relative to my previous mattress, the memory foam is much softer and much more supportive. I feel I could get away with one pillow rather than my usual two, since the body seems to assume an ergonomic position in the foam.

Would you recommend it to other side sleepers? An enthusiastic yes! As someone who has never had a memory foam, I was pleasantly surprised by how cool and comfortable it was—and how quickly my body adjusted to it after years in a traditional coil mattress.

How did delivery and setup go? The delivery of this particular mattress was a breached birth, but only on account of my living situation. My downstairs neighbors happened to sign for the delivery, so the mattress was left in our first-floor entry. There it sat for several days until I could find a friend with the requisite upper-body strength to help me lug the heavy, somewhat unwieldy box up three steep flights. Once I got the mattress bedside, it was easy to unbox and unpack, with plastic wrap that rolled off and a vacuum-pack membrane that I quickly sliced open with scissors. Some careful maneuvering was required to get the plastic out from under it and flip it over. Once in position, however, the compressed mattress puffed up in no time.

The Company Store Mattress

$2,799

The Company Store

• Reviewer: Lori Keong, associate commerce director
• How firm is the mattress? This one falls in the medium-firm category for support with just enough give to keep me comfortable.
• How comfortable is it? The support is second-to-none.

As a side sleeper, what attracted you to this mattress? I loved that the mattress was billed as a luxury firm because I knew that it would be supportive but also slightly plushy, which is exactly how the mattress feels. It’s blessed with gel foam and latex for more pressure relief and weight distribution and also has this very lavish silk, wool, and cashmere cover (pretty rare as far as mattress materials go) that helps with temperature regulation when I’m pressed into the mattress on my side.

What do you love about this mattress? No one actually cares about the way a mattress looks when it’s sheathed in a fitted sheet, but the design really stands out on this bed, which is the sole one that The Company Store has ever released. It came out in late 2023, and is really thoughtfully made: The exterior has a soft quilted texture comprised of cashmere, silk, and wool and features a floral design that runs the length of the bed, with hand-tufted rosettes filling the indentions on the mattress. Lots of places talk the talk when it comes to offering a premium mattress, but the craftsmanship on this one really justifies the steep near-$3,000 price point.

The support is also second-to-none. I’m a lightweight person hovering around 110 pounds who prefers to sleep on her side at night and on her stomach in the morning. I don’t love beds that are too firm, and enjoy at least a bit of squishiness. This one falls in the medium-firm category for support with just enough give to keep me comfortable, and as a person who oscillates between being too hot and too cold, the temperature regulation from season to season helps a lot.

If you could change anything about it, what would it be? The only thing that’s challenging about this mattress is just how thick it is, at 13 inches tall. Trying to stretch a fitted sheet over it is always an exercise in arm strength and patience (both of which I tend to run short on), which is something to know coming into it. It gets even more challenging with any sort of mattress protector on top of it, especially one with a slight pillow top, but deep-pocketed sheets do exist if your current ones are losing their grip on your bed.

How does this mattress compare to other mattresses you’ve slept on? I’ve tested a number of mattresses over the years (from Casper to Aviya to Tempur-Pedic to Avocado) and this one outpaces the rest for both style and support. The edge support isn’t perfect—there will certainly be some sinkage if you sit on the precipice—but it has the best balance of support and softness of any bed I’ve tried in the past.

Would you recommend it to other side sleepers? I'd definitely recommend it to other side sleepers! The sticker shock may put you off buying it, but I think it's the most beautiful, well-designed mattress I've ever tested (and I've slept on many over my years as a shopping writer/editor). The floral motifs and hand-tufted rosettes are an extra special touch that show just how well-crafted this bed is.

How did delivery and setup go? The setup was super smooth, and because this doesn’t ship out in a box, you don’t have to deal with any off gassing from the mattress unfurling itself.

The WinkBed

$2,570 $1,799 (30% off)

WinkBeds

• Reviewer: Mark Burka, contributor
• How firm is the mattress? Medium firm
• How comfortable is it? Very comfortable—it's like sleeping on a hotel bed.

As a side sleeper, what attracted you to this mattress? I wanted a mattress that would provide multiple benefits for me and my partner, as we both have different sleeping preferences. I run hot and prefer to sleep on my side and turn to my stomach. He runs cold and prefers to sleep on his back. This mattress was particularly beneficial as it did end up alleviating hip pain and lower back pain. We began sleeping on this mattress in 2019.

What do you love about this mattress? It is a hybrid mattress with both supportive coils and a Euro-pillow top with gel-infused foam. Overall, the mattress is great for sleeping on the side, but also for when switching from stomach and/or to back.

I love that the mattress has extra-edge anti-sag support, which makes the bed sturdy for everyone: back sleepers, stomach sleepers, combination sleepers, etc. It also has motion isolation technology, which reduces motion transfer across the bed, preventing you from feeling your partner turning around in bed. Although the mattress is designated as firm, the pillow top has a light fluffy feel due to the gel-infused pillow top that is unlike any other mattress I’ve experienced.

If you could change anything, what would it be? This mattress has different firmness options, and the aptly named “firmer” is a step up from the luxury firm. I would have chosen that because the pillow top gives the bed a fluffy feel. When I ordered it, I was worried that the firmest option would be too firm for me and my partner. However, I think I should have gone for it. Winkbed’s firmer option is specifically designed for “heavier” people over 200–250 pounds. They even have a firmness option called “plus” for people who weigh more than 250 pounds. The different firmness levels ensure that the mattress will never sag, regardless of the sleeper’s body type.

How does this mattress compare to others you’ve slept on? Honestly, this mattress is a dream, with the price point being under $2,000 for a California King. Every time I go out of town and stay in an Airbnb or hotel, I am always excited to go back to our bed at home, as it truly fits the needs and desires we have for a mattress.

Would you recommend it to other side sleepers? I would recommend this mattress to another side sleeper, especially for those looking to alleviate hip pain, shoulder pain, and back pain.

How did delivery and setup go? The bed-in-a-box delivery was free, and the mattress arrived compressed and sealed in a box in about a week.

From mattresses-in-a-box to affordable mattresses, we thoroughly test and recommend beds only after bringing them in our homes and sleeping on them for weeks, months, and even years at a time. In other words, we get a real feel for the mattress just like our readers would to ensure our recommendations are comfortable and worth the investment—after all, a good mattress should last you for a long time. When it comes to the best mattresses for side sleepers, we kept several important factors in mind to ensure the beds we reviewed are comfortable and pressure-relieving for this sleep position:

• Comfort: Our testers sung the praises of mattresses in this list that had comfortable qualities like pillow top covers for a plush feel, as well as breathable, cooling covers to let air circulate.
• Edge Support: Keep an eye out for mattresses with strong borders in our guide, as this will help prevent you from feeling like you’re slipping off the bed as you sleep.
• Motion Control: Our testers noted if the beds were really bouncy, as this is usually a sign of limited motion isolation. This is less ideal when sharing a bed with a partner and can cause you to wake up easily if they are getting in and out of bed.
• Customization: Whether opting for a flippable mattress with different firmness levels or personalizing the mattress with a plush feel on the left or right side of the bed, we included options in this list that can cater to your specific sleep needs.

Aside from the mattress qualities outlined in our section on how we tested these beds, we selected options that allow for ease of delivery and several other factors to bring them in your own home. Here are key considerations:

• Shipping: Many leading mattress brands offer free shipping, which is a big perk since beds can already be a big-ticket purchase. Additionally, stores like Saatva include free white-glove delivery to set up the mattress in your home and remove an old mattress in one fell swoop.
• Sleep trial: To ensure you can assess if a mattress is truly right for you, we included mattresses that offer sleep trials. The average is around 100 nights, but some brands even reach up to 365-night sleep trials so you can thoroughly test your mattress through every season.
• Warranty: If you want to get your money’s worth, keep an eye out for mattresses with extensive warranties. We included options ranging from 20 years to a lifetime so you won’t have to make return after return if the mattress doesn’t meet your needs.
• Size: While most mattresses offer twin through California king sizes, the thickness is another important factor. If you want a bed that sits lower to the ground, opt for a 10-inch mattress. If you want an elevated, maximalist bedroom aesthetic, consider a mattress with a 12 to 15-inch thickness.

The first thing to think about when choosing the best mattress for side sleepers is your overall size. Size will dictate the level of firmness you need in a mattress, explains Michael J. Breus, PhD, a sleep expert who serves on the American Board of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

“Most side sleepers will do best on a medium-firm mattress, as a general guideline, but that will vary based on their height and weight,” Dr. Breus explains. “If you’re a 250- to 300-pound person, you’re going to look for a different mattress than a 120- to 130-pound person. As a side sleeper, you have to balance between the idea of sinking in versus support.” As an example, he continues “If you’re a 125-pound person, getting a medium-soft mattress might make sense, but a 300-pound person would get no support from that same mattress. The larger person would need a medium-firm mattress.” Nicely, many of the mattresses we cover offer firmness scales (or different firmness options) on their sites so you can customize your new bed to your liking.

Mattress material: In addition to thinking about firmness, side sleepers should consider the material of any new mattress. Dr. Breus recommends avoiding mattresses with memory foam at the top layers. “Side sleepers should avoid memory foam close to the surface unless the foam has a lot of buoyancy. It’s all based on height and weight, so someone who is bigger, you would want innerspring coils,” he recommends.

Shopping for two sleepers: What about if you have two sleepers of varying sizes? In cases where one partner is larger, Dr. Breus recommends choosing a mattress that is suited to the heavier person, and then adding a mattress topper to accommodate the lighter person, if they prefer more cushioning.

Additional features: Some other features to look for are a 100-plus-night trial period as noted above, which most newer mattress brands offer. This allows you to sleep on it like you own it for a few months and notice how you feel without any pressure. Speaking of pressure, you should pay attention to lumbar or hip pain, restfulness, if you’re too warm or cold, and whether you find yourself waking up to readjust often throughout the night. Lastly, if you live alone, paying a few extra dollars for white-glove delivery might be worth it considering setting up even mattresses-in-a-box can be a bit of a heavy ordeal.

When it comes to different kinds of mattresses, you can lump them into four main categories: Innerspring mattresses, all-foam mattresses, latex mattresses, and hybrid mattresses.

• Innerspring mattresses have a layer of wrapped steel coils at their core, and they offer responsive support for people with back pain and muscle soreness.
• Memory foam mattresses kicked off the mattress-in-a-box craze. They rely on layers of memory foam, each of a different density, texture, and thickness. For hot sleepers, many foam mattresses have a top layer of gel-infused memory foam (you’ll find these on some hybrid mattresses too).
• Hybrid mattresses are the best of both worlds, as they combine innersprings with memory foam (or latex). So if you like a softer, pillow top bed but still need that deep core support, a hybrid mattress is one to look for.
• Latex mattresses are often hailed as the more “natural” or “eco-conscious” option. While we can’t exactly speak to their sustainability chops, the latex mimics foam so you still get a springy, supportive mattress—without the synthetic fibers.