Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Side sleeping is the most popular position in the US, but it's also the hardest on mattresses — at least if you choose the wrong one. When you sleep on your side, your shoulder and hip become the primary load-bearing points, and if the mattress is too firm, it pushes back against those joints instead of cradling them. The result: morning shoulder pain, hip stiffness, and pressure-point discomfort that ruins what should be restful sleep.
Sleep Science
From an anatomical perspective, side sleeping places the lateral shoulder at approximately a 90° angle to the mattress surface. An adult shoulder protrudes roughly 4–6 inches wider than the spine, and the hip protrudes 3–5 inches wider. A proper side-sleeping mattress must allow these protruding areas to sink in enough to keep the spine horizontal — without the torso sinking so far that the spine curves laterally. The ideal firmness range for side sleepers is typically medium to medium-soft (4–6.5/10), though lighter individuals can often sleep on firmer surfaces and heavier individuals may need more firmness to prevent over-sinking.
What to Look For
Pressure Relief
The single most important rating for side sleepers. High pressure relief (8+/10) indicates the mattress allows shoulders and hips to sink appropriately without buildup at contact points.
Firmness Range
Target medium to medium-soft (4–6.5/10). Very light sleepers (under 130 lbs) can go softer (3–5/10); heavier side sleepers (over 230 lbs) may need medium-firm (6–7/10) to prevent excessive sinking.
Spinal Alignment
The mattress must maintain horizontal spinal alignment with the head, thoracic spine, and pelvis on the same plane. Too soft causes lateral spinal curve at the torso; too firm lifts the shoulder out of alignment.
Material
Memory foam and soft latex are the traditional go-tos for side sleepers. Gel grid mattresses (Purple) are uniquely effective — the grid eliminates pressure at contact points while providing support elsewhere.
Features to Prioritize
- ✓Pressure relief rating of 7+ (ideally 8+) out of 10
- ✓Medium to medium-soft firmness (4–6.5/10)
- ✓Zoned support that's softer at shoulders and hips
- ✓Memory foam, soft latex, or gel grid construction
- ✓At least 2 inches of quality comfort foam/latex
Features to Avoid
- ✗Firm or extra-firm mattresses (7+/10 firmness)
- ✗Very thin comfort layers (under 2 inches)
- ✗Traditional innerspring with minimal padding
- ✗Budget foam with poor density (under 1.5 lb/ft³)
Our Top Picks for Side Sleepers
Ranked by a weighted score based on the factors that matter most for side sleepers.
A firmer memory foam option popular with back sleepers seeking support with responsive plant-based foam.
A straightforward all-foam mattress known for its honest design and accessible price, popular with first-time buyers and minimalists.
Helix's firmest standard hybrid, targeting stomach and back sleepers who need maximum spinal alignment and a very firm sleep surface.
A flippable dual-sided firm mattress — one side Firm (8/10), flip it for Ultra-Firm (9.5/10). The go-to recommendation for stomach sleepers and those needing maximum spinal support.
Purpose-built for heavier sleepers (250+ lbs), with 900 reinforced TitanCore pocketed coils and an 8" coil system rated for up to 1,000 lbs total weight.
Casper's all-foam foundation model with Zoned Support — softer at shoulders, firmer at hips — replacing the discontinued Casper Original as the brand's entry point.
Nolah's entry all-foam mattress using proprietary AirFoam — claimed 4x better pressure relief and 20% faster heat dissipation vs standard memory foam — at a mid-range price.
A popular memory foam mattress commonly chosen by value-conscious shoppers seeking pressure relief and a generous trial period.
A luxury hybrid mattress at an accessible price, popular with those seeking the coil + foam combination with a generous trial.
GhostBed's entry-level cooling foam mattress with gel memory foam and a breathable cover, offering significant value during frequent promotions.
Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers — Frequently Asked Questions
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers do best with medium to medium-soft firmness (4–6.5 on a 10-point scale). Lighter individuals (under 130 lbs) can go softer (3–5); heavier side sleepers (over 230 lbs) often need medium-firm (6–7) to prevent excessive sinking that misaligns the spine.
Is memory foam good for side sleepers?
Memory foam is traditionally the most recommended material for side sleepers because of its contouring pressure relief. However, gel grid (Purple) has emerged as uniquely effective — it eliminates pressure at contact points without the heat-trapping of dense memory foam.
Can side sleepers use a firm mattress?
Very firm mattresses (7+/10) are generally not recommended for side sleepers. They push back against the shoulder and hip without allowing necessary sinkage, creating pressure points. However, very light sleepers sometimes find medium-firm options comfortable due to their lower body weight creating less pressure.
What mattress is best for side sleepers with shoulder pain?
Side sleepers with shoulder pain need high pressure relief at the shoulder and a firmness that allows the shoulder to sink in sufficiently. Top options include Purple RestorePlus (gel grid eliminates shoulder pressure), Helix Midnight Luxe (zoned latex), and Nectar Premier (memory foam).
Should side sleepers use a pillow between their knees?
Yes — placing a pillow between the knees while side sleeping significantly improves hip alignment and reduces lower back stress. This is a widely recommended sleep hygiene tip for side sleepers, particularly those with hip or lower back pain.