“10,000 years will give you such a crick in the neck” — The genie from Aladdin.
Do you know what else will give you a crick in the neck, back, and overall feeling of day-long tiredness? A bad mattress.
That, and a bad sleeping position.
However, when you choose a great mattress that works for your sleeping position — like sleeping on your side — you will catch Zs that’ll have you looking forward to your next night.
So if you’re a side sleeper trying to find the missing puzzle piece that is a great mattress, it’s time to get comfortable.
We’re checking out the five best mattresses for side sleepers.
Which Type of Mattress Is Best for Side Sleepers?
The best mattress for side sleepers needs to have four main qualities
- Firm enough at the base to reduce motion transfer
- Soft enough to absorb the pressure from the shoulders, back, hips, and knees
- A top layer that circulates body heat and gives the side sleeper comfortable nights
- Edge support
A side sleeper’s best bet that matches these qualities is a hybrid memory foam mattress with a layer of gel foam.
How Firm Should a Mattress Be for a Side Sleeper?
| Mattress Firmness | Firmness Scale | Best Candidate |
| Soft | 1–2 | Lightweight sleepers |
| Medium-Soft | 3–4 | Lightweight combination sleepers, lightweight side sleepers, couples |
| Medium-Firm | 5–7 | Best for side sleepers, side sleepers with back pain, hot sleepers, combination sleepers |
| Firm | 8–10 | Stomach sleepers, back sleepers |
A side sleeper’s best mattress should be close to 6 on firmness.
Do Side Sleepers Need a Soft Mattress?
A soft mattress might not be the best for side sleepers. They sink in high-pressure areas and misalign the body. This misalignment can cause or increase pain and soreness.
Lightweight side sleepers with zero pain problems can use a soft mattress rated between 1–4. However, soft mattresses might be more vulnerable to sinking.
Loom & Leaf Mattress
The Loom & Leaf has three foam layers and a top cover.
The ‘relaxed-firm’ option works best for side sleepers since it ranks at 5–7 on firmness levels.
The bottom layer is a high-density memory foam that forms the support base. The strong base makes the mattress ideal for most beds — even innerspring beds.
The second and third layer make this Loom mattress super convenient for side sleepers AND hot sleepers. While the third layer contours to the body’s pressure points, the second is infused with cooling gel foam to cool you and encourage spinal alignment in any sleeping position
The top layer is made from 100% organic quilted cotton and treated with Guardin antimicrobial treatment to top it off. The treatment keeps away most allergy-causing agents to give you better sleep.
Price-wise, the Loom & Leaf is affordable if you’re looking for a mattress that will serve you for a long time. The company also offers payment plans for buyers that opt to pay monthly installments.
Helix Midnight Luxe
If you have recurrent back pain from a sleeping position or a bad mattress, the Helix Midnight Luxe is worth checking out.
At between 4–7 on firmness levels, the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress technically ranks as a medium-firm mattress, a great choice for a combination sleeper. The firmness range is ideal for people who suffer from numb and sore shoulders.
The bottom layer of Midnight Luxe’s five layers is a DuraDense foam that gives the mattress superb basal support. The next layer, the zonal layer, is made up of over 1,000 coils that take off the pressure from your shoulders and hips.
The zonal layer is firmer around the hip area for more hip comfort and lumbar support.
The polyfoam layer and GelVisco layer work together to transfer body weight and increase lumbar support, especially if you turn a lot during sleep.
The top layer is high-density Memory Plus Foam that makes side sleeping feel like sleeping on a cloud while the ultra-breathable pillow top layer with Tencel technology keeps you cool.
Still not sold on the Midnight Luxe? The medium-firm option comes at a favorable price if you consider the superior construction. Also, you can get one of two payment plans as you try out the 100-night trial.
Best for Couples: Leesa Hybrid
You will love the all-foam Leesa Hybrid mattress if:
- You’re a sensitive sleeper
- You have chronic back pain
- You want to feel like you’re getting snuggled in your sleep.
The 10-inch thick Leesa Hybrid mattress has five layers made to maintain mattress shape and absorb pressure.
The non-slip bottom layer and third polyfoam layers provide base stability and prevent slipping and sinking into the mattress.
The fourth layer is a 6-inch innerspring coil system that’s stronger around the edges to maintain form. The springs also absorb shock to minimize motion transfer if you toss and turn a lot.
The top and second layers are where the real party is. The top polyfoam layer and 1.5 inches of memory foam cushion bounce and enhance pressure relief, making sleeping on your side comfortable and non-disruptive.
With a firmness score of 6, this hybrid mattress is best for couples looking for a supportive mattress. The 100-day trial period should be enough to get a feel of its plush cotton covering.
The price tag on the Leesa makes it a good deal for starting couples and buyers looking to enjoy their eight hours of sleep.
Nectar Mattress
Picture a wine glass on one end of the bed. It’d be terrible if you had pristine white sheets and the wine spilled on the bed when you sat on it, right?
The Nectar Mattress promises you that’s not going to happen.
How?
The thick base layer is a non-slip polyfoam that keeps the mattress stable on any foundation. It has a thicker memory foam layer that accommodates high-pressure points and evenly distributes weight to light pressure areas like the knees.
The top layers are made of gel-infused foam and quilted cotton that wick sweat and distribute heat away from the body to give you comfortable nights.
This mattress is on the sweet spot of firmness at 6.5. We’re impressed by the affordability of the Nectar mattress. It has a super affordable payment plan as well.
Best Value Mattress: Dreamcloud Premier
The Dreamcloud Premier is a pillow top mattress designed to make sleep feel like being cradled in clouds.
The lowest layer is porous enough to circulate air and absorb shock from the spring layer on top of it. The next layer is an 8-inch layer of coils that conform to the body’s pressure points.
The next three layers are made of memory foam, with one layer made from gel memory foam. These layers promote spinal alignment while keeping body heat at a constant low for more comfort.
The top layer is the definition of premium. The pillow top cover is made from Mongolian cashmere. The soft luxurious cashmere wicks off moisture from the body to keep you cool.
This mattress is rated between 4 and 6 for mattress firmness, making it medium-soft, ideal for people above 130 lbs.
If you’re satisfied, the King will cost you $1699 with the possibility of a full refund.
What Is the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers With Hip and Shoulder Pain?
Hybrid memory foam and latex foam are some of the best mattresses for side sleepers with hip and shoulder pain. Memory foam contours to body shape while the latex foam increases the feeling of being held in while reducing motion transfer.
The Layla Memory Foam mattress is excellent for side sleepers with hip and shoulder pain.
You spend up to eight hours every day sleeping. Your bed, mattress and pillow should be the last things to stress you about your resting time.
Fortunately, we work hard to bring you professional insights on beds, mattresses, and pillows to make your sleep time more blissful.
Bookmark Sleep Reviews today for our candid reviews on all matters bed and sleep to make informed choices.
Featured Image: Freepik by Drobotdean
