Best mattress for side sleepers: Quick Menu
If you're a side sleeper who is looking to splurge on a new mattress, then stay right with us. This sleep position is among the most common and while it's easy to understand why most people find it comfortable, you do need the right support to get a good night's kip on your side. This is where all of those mattress reviews we've written come in.
Too soft and you'll wake up with back pain, and a mattress that's too firm will have you complaining about hip and shoulder pain. You need a mattress that contours to your body and keeps your spine straight all night long. Essentially, the long and short is that you need a soft to medium feel mattress. But, what one person deems soft you might think is medium. So, it is all personal preference.
To help you narrow down your search for the best mattress for side sleepers, we've reviewed a bunch of mattresses and crowned our winner. Do bear in mind that a good pillow can improve your sleep, too. And if you've found your current mattress is too firm or soft for your liking but doesn't necessarily need replacing, a mattress topper is a convenient fix that won't cost thousands of dollars.
But, let's start straight with the source of it all. The mattresses below have been tested by our very own side-sleeping crew, and this is the one that left us the most impressed. Keep scrolling for six more picks in case our top winner isn't right for you.
This is the best mattress for side sleepers
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The best mattress for side sleepers 2023
Buy it if
💕 You sleep warm: Its special layer of cooling foam is designed to keep you cool, as well as its top cover which is nice and breathable.
💕 You sleep on your side: This is the perfect mattress for side sleepers as it keeps your spine aligned with your neck and it offers support just where you need it.
💕 You're a light sleeper: Its motion transfer is second to none, so if you are a light sleeper or sleep with someone who tosses and turns, it's a good choice.
💕 You sleep next to someone who sleeps in a different position to you: It's designed for all types of sleepers, therefore if you sleep on your back but your partner sleeps on their side, it will please you both.
Don't buy it if
❌ You like a super soft mattress: It's responsive but it's not super soft.
❌ You want a mattress with handles: This mattress needs to be turned (not flipped) but it doesn't have handles to make this easy.
❌ You don't want to spend a lot: When not on sale, this mattress starts at $849 for a Twin, which isn't cheap.
The bottom line
✨ Leesa Original Mattress This mattress is a failsafe option for all types of sleepers, but mostly side sleepers. It excels in motion transfer and edge support, and it comes with a decent trial and warranty.
If you’re suffering from back pain, hip pain, or shoulder pain, Leesa may hold the key to relief. Made of premium memory foam, this mattress was designed to contour to the body’s curves, while providing just enough bounce. Essentially, it's everything you need if you sleep on your side.
Unboxing: The Leesa arrives in a box for your convenience. So, if you live upstairs in an apartment or you have some narrow corners to work around, you'll have no problem getting this to your bedroom.
Specs: This is a medium-firm mattress that's rated between 5 to 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This means that it will feel different depending on your weight and whether you share a bed with someone. It's made from four layers, the bottom being high dense foam for support, then on top sits a memory foam recovery layer — this contours to your body to relieve pressure on your joints. Then, before its cover sits a layer of breathable yet bouncy foam to help you sleep cool. Its top knit cover is soft and breathable. From top to bottom, it's 12 inches deep, and it's CertiPUR-US® Certified.
Support & comfort: Leesa claims that it's designed for all sleepers, front, back, or side. And our reviewer Linda definitely agrees, saying it's nice and responsive. At first, she thought it might be too firm but as time went by, she admits it definitely softened up. As a side sleeper, Linda slept soundly on the Leesa every night that she tested it. And when it came to the posture test that she performed on her husband while laying on his side, his spine was totally aligned with his neck. When it came to motion transfer, she rated it fairly well, especially sleeping next to her husband who tosses and turns at night. Edge support was also impressive, so you don't have to worry about the sides not being as supportive as the middle.
Included in the price: If you buy direct from Leesa you might be able to save more. Quite often, there's a sale on at Leesa, whether that's a percentage off or freebies. You'll always get a 100-night trial, though, and this mattress also comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Read more: Leesa Mattress review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Perfect for all sleepers, particularly side sleepers. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | More affordable when it's on sale. | ★★★★ |
| Support | Responsive and great for spine alignment. | ★★★★★ |
| Motion transfer | Great, even if you sleep next to a fidget. | ★★★★★ |
More mattresses for side sleepers
Size: Twin–Cal king
Type: Comfort foam/memory foam
Firmness: Medium (5/10)
Trial period: 100 nights
Price: $895–$1,695
In a box?: Yes
This mattress in a box is great for side sleepers as it sits right in the middle of the firmness scale. It really does keep your spine aligned all night long, while it's super supportive. It scored highly on both motion transfer and edge support, and it's designed with handles for easy moving. Our reviewer noted that it has a little more give and bounce than other memory foams, and you will sink into it a little.
Read our 5-star Casper Original mattress review for more.
Size: Twin–Cal king
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5.5/10)
Trial period: 100 nights
Price: $1,373.80–$2,873.80
In a box?: Yes
Rated our best hybrid mattress, this Helix mattress is brilliant for providing joint support, and because of its medium feel, it's ideal for side sleepers. It also offers incredible edge support for those who need it, plus it's cooling to sleep on. Its price is a little high, and its motion transfer wasn't the best of the best — but don't let that sway you unless you sleep with someone who seriously tosses and turns at night and it keeps you awake.
Read our 5-star Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress review for more.
Sizes: Twin–split king
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Plush (3/10), Medium (5–7/10), Firm (8/10)
Trial Period: 365 nights
Price: $1,095–$2,790
If you're not a full-foam fan, then let this hybrid mattress from Saatva wow you. We rated it our best mattress for back pain for a reason, FYI. It's available in three firmness levels, and if you're a stomach sleeper we say to go for the Plush pick. Otherwise, while it doesn't come in a box and is a little expensive if you've got the money it really is high quality. In review we found its motion transfer to be okay, not the worst but not the best, otherwise, its breathability is wow-worthy and its edge support is second-to-none. Oh, and it's eco-friendly.
Read our 4.5-star rated Saatva Classic mattress review for more.
Sizes: Twin–Cal king
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5/10)
Trial Period: 100 nights
Price: $699–$1,599
This organic mattress is great for all types of sleepers, including side sleepers, as it's right in the middle of the firmness scale. It's not full foam, instead, it's a hybrid coil and latex design that's eco-friendly in its materials and packaging. It's cozy yet supportive, and our reviewer even claimed it's the only mattress she has ever slept on that her body didn't need to adjust to. Both its motion transfer and edge support weren't wow-worthy but don't let this put you off as it's very affordable for an eco and organic mattress.
Read our 4.5-star Avocado Eco Organic mattress review for more.
Sizes: Twin–split king
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (6/10)
Trial period: 120 nights
Price: $1,499–$3,398
In a box? Yes
This one is ideal for back and side sleepers, and it's great if you have allergens as it's hypoallergenic. It cushions pressure points while supporting your body, thanks to the fact it's filled with cushy latex layers, so you can wake up pain-free. Your joints are supported more effectively than when sleeping on only foam — which most people sink into. It's crafted using high-quality, eco-friendly materials like natural Talalay latex, organic wool, organic cotton, and even recycled steel coils.
Read our 4.5-star Nolah Natural Mattress review for more.
Sizes: Twin–Cal king
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5/10)
Trial period: 100 days
Price: $227–$397
In a box? Yes
This seriously affordable mattress gets a big yes from us, especially since it stays cool all night for hot sleepers. Our reviewer thought it was right in the middle of the firmness scale, meaning it's great for all types of sleepers but particularly back and side sleepers. Thanks to its thin memory foam layer, you can feel the support that the individual coils provide without actually feeling the coils. The only reason we didn't give it an extra star is because it's not very deep at 10 inches, and it doesn't have any extra fancy features like other mattresses have. If you're on a budget, it's great.
Read our 4-star Allswell Mattress review for more.
What to consider when buying a mattress if you are a side sleeper
- Material: Different materials offer different advantages. Memory foam is a great choice if you’re hoping to minimize motion transfer, but it might not be the best pick for a hot sleeper. Gel foam is a cooler alternative, which is more attractive to those of us who experience night sweats.
- Firmness: Side sleepers require adequate pressure relief, which is most often found in medium and medium-soft mattresses. Anything too soft will cause poor spine alignment, and anything too firm can hurt the hips and shoulders.
- Pressure relief: Side sleepers need adequate support that cradles their bodies, specifically their shoulders and hips. Memory foam mattresses are recognized for being the best option for pressure relief.
- Sleep trial: Pay attention to the length of trials. Even our budget-friendly picks might be pricey for some, and nothing is worse than sleeping on a mattress you don’t love. We spend nearly a third of our life sleeping, so we deserve comfort! There’s no one size fits all for beds, and sometimes it takes a few tries before you find a winner.
How we test mattresses for side sleepers
Casper mattress in review
As with all mattresses we test at Real Homes, these ones have been reviewed for a minimum of four weeks in total. We get our team and our freelancers to sleep on these mattresses for one month before making their mind up on whether they like them, and during that time we ask that they try them in all sleep positions — unless a mattress isn't recommended for a certain position, that is.
While testing these mattresses we note everything from the unboxing process to each mattress's motion transfer and edge support. We note how firm it is, how long it takes to get used to it, and pretty much every other question you might have.
We have an entire page dedicated to our mattress review process if you want to know more, otherwise, you can meet our mattress reviewers just below.
Jaclyn lives in Georgia and was previously the sleep editor across the homes titles at Future, including Real Homes, where she specialized in a variety of topics ranging from mattresses to bedding. She has also written for Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, and The Spruce. From this list, she has reviewed the Saatva Classic Mattress.
Jaclyn's sleep stats:
• Mattress review count: 2
• Sleep position: Back
• Insomnia: No
• Sleep problems: Trouble getting out of bed in the morning
• Average sleep time: At least 8 hours
Linda is our freelance sleep expert and has been reviewing mattresses for Real Homes since 2018. Based in the UK, from this list she has reviewed both the Leesa Original Mattress and the Casper Original Mattress for us.
Linda's sleep stats:
• Mattress count: 24
• Sleep position: Falls sleep on side, rolls onto back.
• Insomnia: At certain times of the month, insomnia hits for about three nights. I can be awake for three to four hours.
• Sleep problems: Night sweats are also bad news as I navigate the giddy fun of peri-menopause, again just for two to three nights a month.
• Average sleep time: 7.5–8 hours
Alex is one of Real Homes' expert reviewers. The Dallas-based freelance writer has covered home, design, architecture, and art in publications like Real Homes, Dwell, Architectural Digest, Artsy, Neighborhoods.com, and Culture Trip, among many others. She's a real thorough tester, and from this guide, she has tested the Avocado Eco Organic Mattress and the Allswell Mattress.
Alex's sleep stats:
• Mattress review count: 6
• Sleep position: Flexi (front, back, and side)
• Insomnia: Not usually
• Sleep problems: Difficulty getting a deep rest with someone else in the bed. Can't sleep on a mattress that is too soft
• Average sleep time: 8–9 hours
Midwestern freelancer Courtney is a working mom of three who loves nothing more than a good deal. Equal parts entrepreneur and family gal, she believes hard work deserves to be celebrated. She reviewed the Helix Midnight Luxe and the Nolah Natural Mattress 11" from this guide.
Courtney's sleep stats:
• Mattress review count: 2
• Sleep position: Side with one knee hiked up, arms up above head
• Insomnia: No trouble falling asleep, but once awake that's it
• Sleep problems: Sweaty Betty and tossing and turning
• Average sleep time: 6–8 hours
