Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress designed to relieve pressure point pain for side sleepers. With a medium firm (6) feel, the Helix Midnight was soft enough to cushion our testers who sleep on their sides but firm enough to prevent excessive sinkage.

How Does It Feel?

A comfort system with memory foam and polyfoam layers sits atop a pocketed coil support core. The top layer of memory foam conformed to our testers’ bodies, relieving pressure around their joints. Since the pocketed coils move individually, our side sleepers noted good spinal support. Reinforced pocketed coils along the sides of the mattress allowed our testers to lie right up to the edge of the bed.

Why We Liked It

Our testing found the mattress’ mid-range firmness level and balanced feel also performed exceptionally well for our stomach and back sleepers under 130 pounds. Hybrid beds tend to be more responsive than all-foam models because the pocketed coils provide bounce. Our testing team found the Helix Midnight moderately responsive, making it relatively easy to change positions as needed. The foam layers also helped isolate motion so that our testers didn’t feel when their partners moved.

The Helix Midnight ships free throughout the U.S. and comes with a 100-night sleep trial. The trial requires a 30-day break-in period before the mattress is eligible for a full refund. The mattress is also covered by a 10-year limited warranty.

The all-foam Nectar Mattress offers layers of contouring memory foam and polyfoam at a competitive price-point. Our side sleepers across all weight groups enjoyed its medium firm (6) feel and even conforming. Our back and stomach sleepers under 230 pounds also thought that the Nectar has a good balance of cushioning and support.

How Does It Feel?

The comfort system includes a 2-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam and a 3-inch polyfoam layer. Our testers felt the mattress contour closely to their bodies, relieving pressure points. At the same time, the polyfoam layer deepened the pressure relief and supported their spines. The polyfoam core helps support the entire mattress, including the perimeter.

Why We Like It

Our evaluations showed that virtually no vibrations traveled across the surface of the Nectar, which means sleep partners shouldn’t disturb each other when they change positions. However, the testing team reported some difficulty moving across the surface due to the close hug and lack of bounce. The Nectar has above-average edge support for a memory foam bed. Most of our testers felt secure lying or sitting at the edge of the bed.

The Nectar Mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial, which is one of the longest trial periods in the industry. After a 30-day break-in period, customers can return their mattress and receive a refund. The mattress also has a limited lifetime warranty covering craftsmanship and material defects.

Side sleepers can have trouble maintaining spinal alignment on a mattress that sinks too much beneath the weight of their midsections and shoulders. The Eco Terra combats this issue with zoned coils and responsive cushioning to help keep the body on an even plane.

How Does It Feel?

The Eco Terra’s comfort system begins with a layer of GOTS-certified organic wool that offers a bit of surface cushioning while acting as a natural fire barrier. Underneath is a layer of Talalay latex that cradles, rather than adapts, to your body to alleviate pressure buildup. Since latex is naturally responsive, it also traps less heat than materials like memory foam.

Pocketed coils make up the support core. Thicker gauge coils are zoned in the center of the mattress to prevent uncomfortable sagging and along the mattress perimeter for enhanced edge support. A breathable cover made from GOTS-certified organic cotton encases the mattress.

Why We Like It

You can choose between two firmness levels: medium (5) and medium firm (6). Our testing found the mattress best suited to side and back sleepers, but testers preferred different models depending on their body type. Side and back sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds enjoyed the softer model. Meanwhile, the firmer model suited side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Stomach sleepers may also enjoy the medium firm model, but those weighing more than 230 pounds may need a firmer mattress.

Both models excelled in several tests, including temperature control and ease of movement. Thanks to the use of breathable cotton, wool, latex, and coils, the mattress felt extremely comfortable for our hot sleepers. Our heat guns detected minimal heat buildup on the surface. Couples who prioritize responsiveness for sex should also enjoy the mattress. We could move across the surface without restriction or slipping off at the edges.

Eco Terra ships free to customers in the contiguous U.S. and offers a 90-night sleep trial to test the mattress. Should you decide to keep it, the mattress is backed by a 15-year warranty.

The Sonu Mattress uses an innovative design specifically made to combat pressure buildup in a side sleeper’s shoulders. A unique Comfort Channel at the head of the bed allows you to place your arms inside the mattress to avoid crunching them under a pillow or cranking the neck.

How Does It Feel?

The mattress includes four support pillows featuring four layers of polyfoam each. These pillows sit in the Comfort Channel to support the head while allowing enough room for your arms to rest inside comfortably. The mattress body’s comfort system begins with a layer of gel-infused polyfoam that alleviates pressure points. This layer’s gel infusion is meant to keep the surface cool to the touch. Underneath is a second layer of polyfoam that enhances pressure relief while preventing your body from sinking too deeply into the mattress. This layer rests over high-density polyfoam, which reinforces the sleep surface. A soft stretch knit cover encases the mattress.

Why We Like It

Thanks to its innovative design, medium soft (4) feel, and all-foam construction, our side-sleeping testers awarded the Sonu its highest ratings. Our testers noticed very little pressure buildup in their shoulders thanks to the Comfort Channel, while the body of the mattress prevented sore spots in their hips. The foam layers also absorb most movement transfer and noise, making the mattress a great choice if you share the bed with a restless sleep partner. You should notice fewer disturbances from your partner’s nightly movement.

Sonu ships free to customers living in the contiguous U.S. A 100-night sleep trial allows you to test the mattress and return it anytime after the 60-night break-in period. The mattress is backed by a 5-year warranty against structural defects.

The GravityLux by WinkBeds incorporates proprietary foam technology designed to contour to the body and relieve pressure. If you tend to sleep hot but prefer the conforming feel of memory foam, the GravityLux’s proprietary foam and premium cooling features may be an ideal solution.

How Does It Feel?

Two layers make up the comfort system. The top layer is 2 inches of gel-infused polyfoam quilted in a Tencel cover designed for cooling. The second layer uses AirCell memory foam engineered to conform to the body while dissipating heat. Our testers noticed that the GravityLux relieved their pressure points without retaining as much warmth as many all-foam models.

A zoned polyfoam transition layer promotes good posture by adding support under areas of the body that tend to sag excessively. During tests we noted that the high-density polyfoam core also helps limit sinkage.

Why We Like It

Shoppers can choose from three firmness levels: medium soft (4), medium (5), and firm (7). Almost all of our testers found the firm version comfortable — with the exception of side sleepers under 130 pounds — so it may be a good fit for partners with different body types and position preferences.

The medium option received rave reviews from team members weighing less than 130 pounds regardless of preferred sleep position. However, some of our lightweight side sleepers favored the plushness of the soft version.

GravityLux buyers have a 120-night sleep trial to test out the mattress. This trial comes with a required 30-night break-in period. A limited lifetime warranty covers manufacturing and material defects. Shipping is free for customers in the contiguous U.S.

The Nolah Signature 12 is an all-foam mattress with a medium (5) firmness level and a three-layer comfort system that molds to the body to relieve pressure. Our in-house testers found it most suitable for side sleeping, though back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds also rested comfortably.

How Does It Feel?

The top comfort layer uses 2.5 inches of Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam designed for responsive contouring and breathability. A 1.5-inch layer of polyfoam adds support and bounce, and a firmer 1-inch layer of AirFoam deepens the cradling. These comfort layers absorbed most vibrations throughout our testing process, meaning those who share the bed are unlikely to disturb each other as they move during the night. A polyfoam core helps reduce sagging, and a breathable cotton cover encases the mattress.

Why We Like It

While the Nolah Signature 12 hugged our testers closely enough to ease pressure, they didn’t struggle to change positions because of the responsiveness of its polyfoam layers. The AirFoam is also designed to retain less heat than traditional memory foam, and we found the surface of the mattress stayed cooler than many all-foam models.

The Nolah Signature 12 ships free within the contiguous U.S. and comes with a 120-night trial. After a 30-night required break-in period, mattresses are eligible for a full refund less a $99 transportation fee. Buyers are also entitled to a limited lifetime warranty.

Mattresses that sleep cool and feel comfortable for side sleepers are somewhat rare, since the deep cushioning layers needed for side sleeping are often associated with heat retention. The Joybed LXP offers an unconventional hybrid design that promotes airflow while promoting even alignment and reducing pressure in the shoulders and hips – essential qualities for those who primarily use the side position.

How Does It Feel?

Rather than using foam or latex, the LXP is constructed with a top layer of plush fibers derived from potato plants. This is followed by a wool layer sandwiched between two layers of cotton batting. All of these materials are highly breathable, resulting in excellent surface airflow. Next is a layer of nano coils and a support core of pocketed coils. Both circulate air throughout the interior to help the mattress maintain a comfortable core temperature.

Why We Like It

The LXP is available in two firmness levels. After testing both, we found that the medium soft (4) option is best suited to side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. While the comfort layers don’t adapt to the body like foam or latex, we noticed deep cushioning and even weight distribution. The side sleepers on our team weighing more than 230 pounds preferred the extra support of the medium firm (6) feel. Our back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds also felt comfortable on the medium firm design.

The cotton used in the LXP’s cover and batting layer has received certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard, ensuring the material has been sustainably grown and processed. The plant-based fibers – which serve as a natural fiber barrier – do not contain any added chemicals. As a bonus for eco-conscious individuals, the coils are joined using a plant-based adhesive.

The LXP is reasonably priced, and customers in the contiguous U.S. enjoy free ground shipping. Mattress returns are accepted within 120 days of delivery, and those who keep their LXP also receive a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.