More than 60% of people sleep on their side. This position allows you to rest in a naturally curled posture, with your knees slightly bent and your arms relaxed in front of your body. It relieves back pressure, reduces snoring, and makes breathing easier.
Side sleeping is comfortable — but it can also place considerable pressure on the shoulders and hips. If a mattress feels too firm, those areas may not sink in enough to remain comfortable. If it feels too soft, your midsection may settle too deeply and pull the body out of alignment.
The best mattresses for side sleepers balance cushioning and support. They contour around pressure points while keeping the spine in a comfortable, neutral position. Many side sleepers prefer a medium, medium-soft, or plush surface, although the right comfort level also depends on body weight, personal preference, and whether you change positions during the night.
Our picks:
- Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt 2.0 Medium Hybrid Mattress
- Helix Midnight Luxe Medium Hybrid Mattress
- Beautyrest Black Series Two Medium Pillow Top Mattress
- Kingsdown Sunham Hybrid Ultra Eurotop Mattress
- Sealy Posturepedic® Elite Albany Hybrid Medium Mattress
- SomosBeds Bloomquist Plush Eurotop Mattress
- Serta Perfect Sleeper® Paxton Ultra Plush Euro Top Mattress
- Casper Snow Hybrid Mattress
- Beautyrest World Class Dreamwell Columbia Medium Pillow Top Mattress
- Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze® Medium Hybrid Mattress
What are the best mattresses for side sleepers?
The best mattresses for side sleepers combine pressure relief at the shoulders and hips with enough support to keep the spine comfortably aligned. Our top picks include options for hot sleepers, couples, plush-mattress fans, and shoppers who prefer a more responsive hybrid feel.
Best overall: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt® Medium Hybrid Mattress
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt Medium Hybrid Mattress is one of the best mattress options for side sleepers. It combines the close-conforming pressure relief associated with TEMPUR® Material with the responsive support of an innerspring system. That combination can work especially well for side sleepers who want their mattress to cushion the shoulders and hips without feeling completely enveloped by foam.
The mattress contains Advanced Relief® Material engineered with more molecular cells per inch to adapt precisely to the sleeper’s shape. It also incorporates more than 1,000 springs, giving the mattress additional responsiveness and making it easier to reposition than a traditional all-foam model.
Why side sleepers like it:
- Advanced pressure-relieving material conforms around the shoulders and hips.
- More than 1,000 springs add responsiveness and support.
- The hybrid design is easier to move around on than many all-foam beds.
- Its balanced feel works well for combination sleepers who spend most of the night on their sides.
Best designed specifically for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe Medium Hybrid Mattress
The Helix Midnight Luxe Medium Hybrid Mattress is made specifically for side sleepers. Its medium feel allows the shoulders and hips to settle into the comfort layers while still providing enough support to help keep your spine comfortably aligned.
Three foam layers deliver tailored pressure relief and ergonomic support, including upgraded high-density foam for added durability. The mattress also uses zoned lumbar support to reinforce the middle of the body, where extra stability can help prevent a side sleeper’s hips from sinking too deeply.
Sleepers can choose between a naturally breathable TENCEL™ pillow-top cover and a GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover designed to draw heat away from the body. These cooling options, combined with the airflow created by the hybrid coil system, make the Midnight Luxe a strong choice for side sleepers who tend to sleep warm.
Why side sleepers like it:
- The medium feel balances pressure relief with support.
- Its hybrid construction provides cushioning without sacrificing responsiveness.
- Motion separation can help couples avoid disturbing one another.
- It accommodates sleepers who change positions throughout the night.
Best luxury pillow top: Beautyrest Black Series Two Medium Pillow Top Mattress
The Beautyrest Black Series Two Medium Pillow Top Mattress is a compelling choice for side sleepers who want a substantial, hotel-inspired sleep surface. At approximately 16.5 inches tall, it has a deeper profile than many standard mattresses and combines a cushioned pillow top with a robust pocketed-coil support system.
The mattress uses Triple-Stranded Pocketed Coil® Technology to provide conforming support and motion separation. Because the coils respond independently, the support system can adjust more closely to your body while limiting the amount of movement transferred across the bed.
Above the coils, premium foams and the pillow-top surface create the cushioning side sleepers need around their shoulders and hips. Micro Diamond™ Memory Foam is infused with heat-conducting diamond particles designed to help move heat away from the body.
Why side sleepers like it:
- The pillow top adds cushioning around prominent pressure points.
- Triple-Stranded Pocketed Coil® Technology provides individualized support.
- Micro Diamond™ Memory Foam is designed to move heat away from the body.
- Its medium feel provides more support than an especially soft pillow top.
Best for couples: Kingsdown Sunham Hybrid Ultra Eurotop Mattress
Couples need a mattress that can absorb movement, support two sleepers, and remain comfortable across the entire surface. The Kingsdown Sunham Hybrid Ultra Eurotop Mattress addresses all three priorities with a multilayered coil system, reinforced edges, and a cushioned Euro-top design.
The mattress contains a 2,600-plus-piece support system that combines 9-inch wrapped OptiCoils with Micro Coils. These layers provide contouring support while helping reduce motion from one side of the bed to the other.
That layered coil construction is particularly useful for side-sleeping couples. The comfort system can conform around each person independently, while the coils provide enough underlying support to keep both sleepers from feeling as though they are rolling toward the middle.
Why side sleepers like it:
- Wrapped coils and Micro Coils provide responsive contouring.
- The support system is designed to reduce partner motion.
- Reinforced edges give couples more usable sleeping space.
- Added lumbar support helps prevent the midsection from settling too deeply.
Best for targeted support: Sealy Posturepedic® Elite Albany Hybrid Medium Mattress
Side sleepers often focus on cushioning, but support is equally important. The Sealy Posturepedic Elite Albany Hybrid Medium Mattress is a strong option for sleepers who want pressure relief combined with targeted support through the areas that bear more of the body’s weight.
The mattress features Sealy’s orthopedic-inspired Posturepedic® Pro Support System. PrecisionFit™ Coil and MaxSupport™ Technology are designed to deliver targeted support and help reduce the aches that can develop when the body is not properly supported overnight.
Its medium feel provides enough cushioning to accommodate the curves of the shoulders and hips without creating an excessively deep sink. That makes it particularly suitable for side sleepers who enjoy some contouring but do not like an ultra-plush mattress.
Why side sleepers like it:
- Its medium comfort level balances cushioning and alignment.
- The hybrid design provides pressure relief with responsive support.
- PrecisionFit™ Coils adapt to the sleeper’s position.
- The cool-to-the-touch surface supports a more comfortable sleep environment.
These mattresses represent strong starting points for side sleepers — but the right one for you depends on your body type, weight, and how you sleep, not just your position. That's why we encourage you to visit your nearest Mattress Warehouse and try bedMATCH®. In just a few minutes, our patented diagnostic sleep system measures your individual support and pressure-relief needs and tells you which of these picks (or others in our showroom) is the best match for you.
Best value: SomosBeds Bloomquist Plush Eurotop Mattress
A side-sleeper-friendly mattress does not necessarily have to carry a premium price. The SomosBeds Bloomquist Plush Eurotop Mattress combines a cushioned surface, memory foam, wrapped coils, cooling materials, and reinforced edges, making it our best-value selection.
Gel Fiber and Gel Foam are incorporated into the quilted surface to help provide soft, temperature-conscious comfort. Beneath that surface, Tri-Tech Memory Foam supplies pressure relief and lumbar support.
That combination is well suited to side sleeping. The plush Euro top allows the shoulders and hips to settle into the mattress, while the memory foam distributes pressure across a broader area. The added lumbar support helps keep the waist from dipping too deeply between those pressure points.
An 800-coil wrapped support system provides individualized response and reduces the rigid feel sometimes associated with connected-coil mattresses. The mattress also includes 360-degree edge support, which can make it feel more stable when sleeping or sitting near the perimeter.
Why side sleepers like it:
- Tri-Tech Memory Foam provides pressure relief and lumbar support.
- Gel materials contribute to a cooler surface.
- Wrapped coils provide more individualized support.
- Full-perimeter edge support improves stability across the mattress.
Best ultra-plush mattress: Serta Perfect Sleeper® Paxton Ultra Plush Euro Top Mattress
Some side sleepers want to sink into a deeply cushioned surface as soon as they lie down. The Serta Perfect Sleeper Paxton Ultra Plush Euro Top Mattress is the softest-feeling selection on our list and is designed for shoppers who place pressure relief above responsiveness.
The 12-inch mattress uses an ultra-plush Euro-top design to create a soft transition between the sleeper and the underlying support system. The softer surface can be particularly comfortable for lighter side sleepers. Because lighter bodies do not compress firm foams as easily, a plush comfort system may allow the shoulders and hips to settle more naturally into the bed.
The Paxton also incorporates features associated with Serta’s Perfect Sleeper® collection, including an 825-coil-density support system, a lumbar gel support band, and Cool Twist® Gel Memory Foam. Together, these materials contour around the body, reinforce the lower back, and help relieve pressure without sacrificing the cooling and support side sleepers need throughout the night.
Why side sleepers like it:
- The ultra-plush surface provides generous cushioning.
- Its Euro-top construction creates a soft, inviting feel.
- Pressure-relieving materials help reduce the firmness felt beneath the hips and shoulders.
- It offers an accessible entry point for shoppers seeking plush comfort.
Best for hot sleepers: Casper Snow Hybrid Mattress
Side sleepers who sleep hot sometimes face a difficult choice. Thick comfort layers can provide excellent pressure relief, but some foams also retain warmth. The Casper Snow Hybrid Mattress is designed to deliver cushioning and support while actively addressing temperature.
Casper combines responsive springs, supportive foams, and its Snow Technology in a 12-inch medium hybrid mattress. The mattress is designed to sleep up to five degrees cooler throughout the night.
The medium feel gives side sleepers room to settle into the upper foam layers without losing the support of the coil system underneath. Responsive springs also promote easier movement and create space for airflow within the mattress.
Why side sleepers like it:
- Snow Technology is designed to maintain a cooler sleep surface.
- Supportive foams cushion the shoulders and hips.
- Responsive coils make it easier to change positions.
- Motion separation can reduce disturbances between partners.
Best traditional medium pillow top: Beautyrest World Class Dreamwell Columbia Medium Pillow Top Mattress
The Beautyrest World Class Dreamwell Columbia Medium Pillow Top Mattress is a good choice for side sleepers who want a traditional pillow-top feel without moving all the way into ultra-plush territory.
The mattress pairs a medium pillow top with 1000-density Pocketed Coil® Technology. The individually responsive coils provide personalized support and motion separation, making the model suitable for both solo sleepers and couples.
Higher-density foams add cushioning above the support system. WorldClass Relief™ HD Foam responds to the sleeper’s body to relieve pressure, which is especially valuable beneath the shoulders and hips. Its medium surface should feel more stable than a plush pillow top while still offering greater cushioning than a traditional firm mattress.
The Columbia also incorporates InfiniCool® MAX Technology with vertical natural lux fibers for advanced cooling. At approximately 15.75 inches tall, it has the substantial profile and layered feel many shoppers associate with a premium innerspring bed.
Why side sleepers like it:
- The pillow top cushions pressure-sensitive areas.
- A medium feel provides support without feeling excessively firm.
- WorldClass Relief™ HD Foam adapts to the sleeper’s shape.
- InfiniCool® MAX Technology helps address heat buildup.
Best premium cooling mattress: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze® Medium Hybrid Mattress
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze Medium Hybrid Mattress is our premium recommendation for side sleepers who want advanced contouring and place a high priority on cooling.
The 13-inch mattress combines pressure-relieving TEMPUR® technology with a responsive hybrid support system. Its cooling materials are engineered to make the mattress feel up to 10 degrees cooler throughout the night.
For side sleepers, the primary attraction is the combination of conforming relief and medium support. The comfort materials adapt around the shoulders, waist, and hips rather than forcing those areas to rest against a flat surface. Meanwhile, the spring system adds lift and helps the mattress respond more quickly when the sleeper changes positions.
Why side sleepers like it:
- TEMPUR® Material conforms closely around the shoulders and hips.
- Cooling technology is designed to feel up to 10 degrees cooler.
- Hybrid support adds responsiveness and makes repositioning easier.
- Motion absorption can benefit couples with different sleep schedules.
What should side sleepers look for in a mattress?
Although every sleeper has different preferences, several mattress features are especially important when you spend most of the night on your side.
Here are a few priorities to keep in mind:
- Pressure relief: Contouring materials should cushion the shoulders and hips to reduce uncomfortable pressure buildup.
- Appropriate firmness: Most side sleepers benefit from a soft-to-medium feel, although heavier sleepers may need a firmer surface for adequate support.
- Spinal alignment: The mattress should support the waist and midsection so the spine remains in a comfortable, neutral position.
- Responsive support: Coils, zoned support, or dense transition foams can prevent the hips from sinking too deeply into the mattress.
- Motion isolation: Couples should look for individually wrapped coils or motion-absorbing foams that limit disturbances when either person moves.
- Cooling features: Breathable coils, cooling covers, gel foams, and temperature-regulating materials can help prevent heat from becoming trapped around the body.
- Edge support: A reinforced perimeter provides greater stability and allows sleepers to use more of the mattress surface.
Find the right side-sleeper mattress at Mattress Warehouse.
The best mattress for side sleeping should allow your shoulders and hips to settle comfortably while supporting the rest of your body. That balance will feel different for every person, which is why trying multiple comfort levels and mattress constructions can be so helpful.
Every mattress on this list is a side-sleeper favorite for a reason, but our recommendations are a starting point, not a substitute for your own body's needs. That's where bedMATCH® comes in. Visit your nearest Mattress Warehouse and try our patented bedMATCH® diagnostic sleep system. In just a few minutes, it evaluates your body type, weight distribution, spinal alignment, sleep position, and pressure points, then recommends the specific mattresses — from our picks above or elsewhere on the showroom floor — with the support and comfort your body needs. Narrow your options, compare the right models in person, and shop with the confidence that your choice was made for you. It’s the best mattress shopping experience in the market.
Best mattress for side sleepers FAQs.
Reference answers to the most common answers about mattresses for side sleepers.
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers are comfortable on a medium, medium-soft, or plush mattress. That range lets the shoulders and hips settle in for pressure relief while keeping the spine in a neutral position. The ideal firmness also depends on your body weight, so heavier sleepers may want a slightly firmer surface, while lighter sleepers often prefer a softer feel.
Is a memory foam or hybrid mattress better for side sleepers?
Both can work well for side sleeping. Memory foam conforms closely around the shoulders and hips for deep pressure relief, while a hybrid pairs cushioning with a coil system that adds support, responsiveness, and airflow. Many side sleepers prefer a hybrid because it is easier to change positions on and tends to sleep cooler.
Does body weight affect which mattress a side sleeper should choose?
Body weight can affect your mattress decision as a side sleeper, determining how deeply you sink into the comfort layers. Lighter side sleepers may not compress firmer foams enough and often prefer a softer or plush feel, while heavier side sleepers usually need a firmer, more supportive surface to keep the hips from sinking too far and pulling the spine out of alignment.
How long does it take to get used to a new mattress?
Most people adjust to a new mattress within 30 days, as the body acclimates and the materials fully break in. If the surface still feels uncomfortable after that period, the comfort level may not be the right match. Visit a Mattress Warehouse store and try our bedMATCH system to confirm the best mattress before you buy.