I spent 3,000 hours sleeping on and testing the best mattresses for side sleepers — these are my top picks

However, the Helix Midnight Luxe does deliver cloud-like comfort and what our lead reviewer described as "blissful cushioning", which is why it's our top choice for side sleepers.

Our review: in more detail

Popular mattress brand Helix is known for creating mattresses to suit specific sleep styles, and it does this very well (there's a reason the Helix Dusk Luxe tops our guide to the best mattresses for stomach sleepers). The Helix Midnight Luxe is aimed at side sleepers, with a luxury finish, contoured relief, sturdy support, and a premium price tag. For a more affordable option, check out the Helix Midnight in our Also Tested section.

The Helix Luxe range is a competitor of Saatva (#3) and WinkBed (#8), but what the Midnight Luxe delivers is a side sleeper specialist blend of comfort and support. That plush pillow top has an immediate hit of cushioning for relief as soon as you climb into bed, while the strong core ensures you don't sink all the way through the bed — that means no aching spine in the morning.

Despite being designed for side sleepers, our testers also felt comfortable back sleeping on the Helix Midnight Luxe. The thick cushioning that absorbs movement (we awarded it high marks for motion isolation) makes this a good choice for couples who don't share perhaps quite the same sleep style.

We also awarded it highly for edge support and temperature regulation, although hot sleepers should consider the GlacioTex cooling cover upgrade. Having analyzed user reviews, some do complain that even with the cover the Midnight Luxe can get hot.

What we like about it...

✅ Soothing pressure relief: Side sleepers need pressure relieving cushioning at the hips and shoulders, and that's something the Midnight Luxe delivers by the bucketful. Our lead tester found a recurring "dead hip" problem disappeared on the Midnight Luxe.

✅ Strong lumbar support: Soft cushioning can sometimes lead to the spine sinking uncomfortably, but that's not a problem with the Midnight Luxe. Enhanced coil support in the central third holds the lumbar in an easy neutral position throughout the night.

✅ Good edge support: Strong edges allow you to use more of the mattress surface (you won't slip off when you lie close to the sides) and offer a stable base to press against if you need a boost getting out of bed in the morning. The Midnight Luxe uses reinforced coils to keep the perimeter strong.

What we don't like about it...

❌ GlacioTex cover feels slippery: Although our testing panel was impressed overall with the temperature regulation, we recommend investing in the GlacioTex cover if you sleep hot. But reviews indicate it does feel slippery, so for cooling without the slide, try the Cocoon Chill (#7).

❌ No handles for moving: The Helix Midnight Luxe is big and heavy, which isn't exactly unusual for a mattress. However, the plush 13.5" height and lack of handles make it very difficult to move, even with a helping hand. The taller Saatva (#3) is comparatively easier to shift, thanks to its handles.

When, where and how to buy

We typically see 20% off the Midnight Luxe in the Helix mattress sale, and this evergreen deal lasts throughout the year. This is a decent saving, especially as Helix tends to throw in a free pillow set with your mattress purchase. The 20% off sale reduces a twin to $1,099 (was $1,373.80), a queen to $1,899 (was $2,373.80), and a king to $2,299 (was $2,873.80).

Black Friday has traditionally been the best time to buy a Helix mattress, but not so in 2024. We saw 27% off the Helix Midnight Luxe (with our Tom's Guide code) for Black Friday, which is an impressive sale. But we did see 30% off for Memorial Day 2024. However, Black Friday shoppers got a free bedding bundle, while Memorial Day shoppers could only claim the standard free pillows.

The Helix Midnight Luxe can be purchased online direct from Helix, but it's also available from third-party retailers, including the Helix Amazon store. Prefer to try before you buy? You can find Helix mattresses in select showrooms across the US.

The Midnight Luxe comes with a 100-night trial and a 15-year warranty, plus free shipping. These benefits are average for a mattress in this price bracket, but the 15-year warranty is better than the 10 years offered on the Core collection mattresses at Helix.

The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress might be a budget buy, but it delivers premium pressure relief for side sleepers.

Our review: in more detail

The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam is one of the best cheap mattresses around. It's comparable to budget brands Siena, Allswell, and Linenspa in terms of quality and price, but the pressure relief and cushioning of the Zinus Memory Foam give it the edge for side sleepers.

As a budget-friendly bed, the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam can't compete with the superb quality of the Helix Midnight Luxe (#1) or the Saatva Classic (#3). However, we found the foam layers contour to the hips and shoulders to relieve pressure at the touch points. And while there's a lot of sink, the Zinus dense base foams provide enough support that you don't feel yourself falling through the mattress.

Perhaps the biggest issue with the Zinus is a lack of edge support. This is common with memory foam mattresses, but particularly pronounced here. Our lead tester found sleeping on the side of the bed a precarious prospect. The temperature regulation could also be improved — hot sleepers on a budget should consider the Cocoon Chill (#7) instead.

However, the Zinus Green Tea offers side sleepers soothing comfort at an irresistibly low price. And while it might not offer the long-term durability of a premium mattress, it's an ideal pick for a guest room.

What we like about it...

✅ Superb cushioning at the pressure points: You immediately sink into the Zinus mattress, and the upper layers of comfort foam contour to the curves of the body to relieve pressure at the major touch points. It's that classic memory foam 'hug'.

✅ High quality motion isolation: Dense foams absorb motion before it can travel, making the Zinus an excellent choice for anyone who shares with a wriggling partner. One person can move about in the night without waking up the other.

✅ Very affordable: The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress sits comfortably in the budget price bracket, and a simple build helps keep costs down without sacrificing comfort. It might lack the durability of a premium bed, but the overall performance is better than the price tag suggests.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Weak edge support: Our lead tester has a tendency to sleep against the side of the bed, but the Zinus Memory Foam mattress put a stop to that. The weak edges feel like you could slip straight off, and if you have mobility issues, the Zinus doesn't offer a stable base to push up from.

❌ Can sleep hot: The dense foams of the Zinus Green Tea hug the body, trapping warm air and leading to some uncomfortable overnight temperatures. Hot sleepers should consider the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress (#7), instead.

When, where and how to buy

Zinus is an online mattress brand, and Zinus beds have gained a lot of popularity through online channels. You can shop directly from Zinus, or buy the Green Tea Memory Foam from a third-party retailer — it's one of the most popular mattresses on Amazon.

Prices are generally cheaper at Amazon, where you can often pick up a queen size for less than $300. But you'll never pay too much more at Zinus thanks to an evergreen sale, and a queen will usually set you back $399 (was $599). Shopping direct from Zinus might be more expensive, but you get better benefits, including a 100-night trial.

As the price is already low at Zinus, we don't expect to see bigger savings around the major sales days. It's always a good time to save on the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress.

However, if you shop from a third-party retailer, such as Amazon, limited time sales can sometimes score you a real bargain. Be aware that the lowest prices are often on past-season models, although they still deliver a comparable quality.

But if budget isn't a problem, the Saatva Classic is hard to fault, especially as numerous personalization options means it suits nearly all side sleepers.

Our review: in more detail

The Saatva Classic has consistently rated among our favorite mattresses, and that's thanks to its all-round appeal. A choice of three feels (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm) plus two heights (11.5" and 14.5") means it's suitable for pretty much any sleep style. For side sleepers, we recommend either the Plush Soft or Luxury Firm in 14.5", to provide the ample cushioning your pressure points need.

But it isn't all about the personalizations with the Saatva Classic. A supportive core includes a targeted high density lumbar support foam and a LumbarZone Active Spinal Wire. This helps hold the spine in a neutral position, avoiding the sagging that can cause issues with softer mattresses. If you're a side sleeper with back pain, the Saatva Classic is the mattress for you.

We did have a small criticism related to the motion isolation. As an innerspring hybrid, there's a bit of bounce that might be disruptive if you share with a restless sleeper. The Helix (#1) or Leesa Sapira (see our Also Tested section) are better hybrids for bed sharers, while the Tempur-Pedic (#10) suits those who prefer a foam hug over a responsive hybrid.

Beyond that, our biggest complaint was the $99 returns or exchange fee. This isn't a deal breaker, but as the Saatva delivers a luxury experience everywhere else, it's a slight annoyance.

Our tester awarded the Luxury Firm high marks in temperature regulation, pressure relief and edge support. We did find it slightly firmer than expected (although it softened up in time) so lightweight side sleepers should consider the Plush Soft feel instead.

What we like about it...

✅ Superb back support: The Saatva Classic comes chiropractor approved, with a reinforced central zone holding the lumbar region aligned throughout the night. Our tester with mild scoliosis found sleeping on the Saatva Classic helped reduce their back pain.

✅ Multiple firmness options: While we wouldn't recommend the Firm feel for side sleepers, the choice of Plush Soft or Luxury Firm ensures you can pick a finish to meet your needs. Plush (3/10 on the firmness scale) is likely to suit lightweight side sleepers, while Luxury Firm (5-7/10) is for those who prefer less sink.

✅ Strong edge support: The strong support of the Saatva Classic stretches all the way to the perimeter of the mattress. If back pain is limiting your mobility, you can press against the edges of the Saatva Classic to lift yourself out of bed without the side collapsing beneath you.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Return or exchange fee: There's a $99 returns fee from Saatva, which is frustrating when so many online brands offer free returns. But it isn't unique — Tempur-Pedic (#10), Brooklyn Bedding (#11), and Naturepedic (#12) all charge for returns.

❌ Standard weight capacity: While a 300lb weight capacity per person isn't unusual for a standard mattress, the Helix Midnight Luxe (#1) and the WinkBed Plus (#8) both offer higher weight limits for side sleepers with a bigger build.

When, where, and how to buy

Saatva mattresses are sold via the Saatva online store, where you can find the full range of beds and sleep accessories. If you want to try before you buy, there are Saatva viewing rooms across the US, where you can consult Saatva specialists with all your mattress questions before placing an online order.

Last season and refurbished Saatva mattresses sometimes pop up elsewhere online, and you can purchase accessories from the Saatva Amazon store. But for the most part, the best place to buy is direct from Saatva. Especially as you can enjoy the Saatva mattress sales...

Saatva sales occur frequently throughout the year, with the best deals usually appearing around the major holidays. Deals generally range from 10-15% off a mattress, but watch out for fluctuating MSRPs. Saatva has a tendency to raise prices over the summer, before lowering them again in winter.

The Black Friday mattress deals make for a historically good time to buy a Saatva mattress, although in 2024 the Black Friday sale matched the Memorial Day sale (and other deals we've seen throughout the year).

A good all-rounder with some features that stand out for side sleepers, the Nectar Classic is one of the best mattresses in its price range.

Our review: in more detail

The Nectar Classic Memory Foam sets itself apart as a mid-range mattress that delivers an all-round performance without the issues that can affect cheap all-foam beds. It is several hundred dollars more than the Zinus Memory Foam (#2), but you do get a cooler, more supportive sleep experience for your money, with better durability.

Budget all-foam beds can have a tendency to sleep hot, but our testing panel stayed a pleasant neutral temperature throughout the night. Although the Nectar doesn't have the cooling capabilities of the Cocoon Chill, it should feel comfortable for most sleepers. Plus, while the edge support can't compare to a hybrid like the Helix (#1), we still felt stable sleeping close to the sides.

The Nectar Classic doesn't provide that deep, sink-in hug you might get from other memory foams, but the cushioned surface lightly contours to the knees, hips, and shoulders to ease pressure. And because of the medium firm support, this contouring comes without a quicksand sink that can result in back pain.

Overall, our testers feel the Nectar provides full-body support while maintaining the cozy memory foam 'hug'. All that, and it's one of the best priced beds in this guide.

What we like about it...

✅ Excellent cushioning at the joints: A medium firm feel leaves you sinking slightly into the memory foam upper layers of the Nectar, which ease around the joints to cradle the body. Lie on your side and you'll feel the Nectar Classic holding the touch points to reduce pressure build up.

✅ Stops movement from traveling: Those slow-moving foams absorb motion, trapping it to one side of the mattress. If your partner gets in or out of bed in the middle of the night, you shouldn't feel them go.

✅ Strong all-rounder: The balance of support and cushioning means while the Nectar Classic best suits side sleepers, it's also comfortable for most back sleepers and front sleepers. Add on an affordable price tag, and you have a fantastic guest room choice.

What we don't like about it...

❌ Weak edges: Sit on the edge of the Nectar Classic and you might feel the bed sinking beneath you. This can be a problem if you have mobility issues, especially if you struggle to push out of bed in the morning. For stronger edges, consider upgrading to the Nectar Hybrid.

❌ No bounce: A lack of bounce isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you like to move around in the night, the dense foams of the Nectar make it hard to shift positions. The DreamCloud Hybrid (#5) is better if you're after a responsive feel.

When, where and how to buy

Nectar mattress sales are never ending (even if the countdown on the Nectar site says otherwise). The up to 40% off sale has been live throughout this year, and before that, we regularly saw up to 33% off plus a bedding bundle. You never pay full price for a Nectar mattress, and while a queen size Classic Memory Foam has an MSRP of $1,099, $649 is a typical sale price. A twin costs $499 (was $649), and a king is typically on sale for $849 (was $1,399).

Occasional flash sales take the price down further, although these discounts are infrequent. We've seen Nectar drop flash savings in the run up to a major sale event, but these are blink and you miss it type sales.

Nectar is also known for its impressive benefits. The Classic Memory Foam comes with a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty. Not unusual for a luxury mattress, but well above average for a mid-range bed.

The Nectar Classic is available on various third-party sites, including the Nectar Amazon store. The prices are similar to shopping direct from Nectar, and you might miss out on those excellent benefits. However, you can sometimes get lucky save big on last season's stock.