The best mattress for side sleepers 2024: Reviewed by experts

People who sleep on their sides require a mattress that will enable them to sleep comfortably without pressure building painfully across their shoulders, hips and knees. For this reason, the best mattress for side sleepers is usually a soft or medium-firm, which helps to provide blissful pressure relief exactly where it’s required. 

In addition to a plush sleep surface, there also needs to be ample support in order to prevent the spine dipping painfully out of alignment. As a panel of expert mattress testers, we have tested many of the models featured within this guide. In the rare instance that we haven’t tested a mattress within this guide, we have drawn upon verified consumer reviews instead in order to compile the very best options for side sleepers. 

After careful consideration, the Helix Midnight remains the top choice for side sleepers, thanks to its blissful combination of deep pressure relief, strong motion isolation and excellent temperature regulation. But there are nine other mattresses in the running, including the Saatva Classic and the Purple Original. 

As well as performance, we’ve also considered budget when compiling this guide. Timing your purchase to coincide with mattress sales or major holidays, like the Memorial Day mattress sales in May, will help secure the best bed within your budget. Now, let’s take a look at the best mattresses for side sleepers, as reviewed by our sleep experts… 

Quick list

If you're short on time, browse our quick list for the highlights of each of our top picks. Keen to learn more? Click 'read more' for additional details, including our first-hand experiences.  

The best mattress for side sleepers overall

The Helix Midnight is a highly rated hybrid, and it sits at the top of our best mattress for side sleepers guide because it offers the perfect amount of sinkage at the shoulders and hips to keep your spine in neutral alignment when you're snoozing in this position. Our testers loved sleeping on this mattress and found that it delivered plenty of support for the lower back, too. 

At the top of the Helix Midnight mattress, you'll find a layer of blended memory foam that contours to your body and relieves pressure points when sleeping on your side. This works with various other foams to effectively deliver cushioned comfort. Don't worry – you won't feel as though you're being swallowed alive here, as the memory foam layer isn't hugely thick. Alongside these foams, the Helix Midnight mattress includes a layer of individually wrapped, 8" pocketed coils, which boost airflow through the mattress as well as limiting motion transfer within the mattress. That's great news if you've got a restless bedmate, as this bed will absorb motion and prevent their wriggling from disturbing your rest. 

You'll also find a range of temperature-regulating materials, which we found worked effectively to keep our testers comfortably cool at night. The soft-touch stretch cover stays cool to the touch, even during warmer weather, although very hot sleepers may wish to upgrade to the GlacioTex Cooling Cover for an extra $249. 

Rated 6/10 on the firmness scale, the Helix Midnight's medium softness offers the pressure relief you need around your hips and shoulders. However, it is on the softer side of what we'd recommend for side sleepers, and indeed being too soft is one of the main complaints from those people who didn't get on with this mattress. If you prefer a firmer feel, or if you also like to sleep on your front or sleep on your back sometimes, you should look for a mattress that's more like a 7 or even 8/10 (check out the Awara Natural Hybrid at #9 on this list). Note it also might not be supportive enough for those over 250lb (head to our best mattress for heavy bodies guide for recommendations there). 

• Read more: Helix Midnight mattress review

Helix Midnight: from $936 $749 + a FREE Dream Pillow set at Helix
Helix is currently offering 20% off its mattresses, taking the price of a queen size mattress down to $1,099, which includes two free pillows. This is a great offer, but we have seen Helix mattress sales take as much as 25% off and offer an entire free bundle, so you might get a slightly better deal if you hold out for Memorial Day in May. 

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The best luxury mattress for side sleepers

If you prefer a more traditional innerspring feel, the Saatva Classic is well worth a look. There is a little bit of foam in this mattress (a thin layer to offer extra lumbar support in the middle third, and rails around the perimeter for stability), but the main body of the mattress is mostly springs, with a pillow top for cushioning. This is a mattress you sleep on top of, rather than sinking in too deeply. 

One big draw is that the Classic can be customized to your preferences, with two heights and three firmness levels to choose from. For side sleepers, we'd recommend either the soft (rated 3/10 on the firmness scale) or Luxury Firm (5-7), depending on your body weight and whether your preference is for a plusher or firmer feel. (We rank the 8/10 version as one of the best firm mattresses, but it likely cause pressure to build up in the shoulders for most side sleepers.) 

We tried out the Luxury Firm option and found it delivered fantastic pressure relief, with the dual-coil system providing buoyant, firm support, and a little bounce. We rate it amongst the best mattresses for back pain, too.

The abundance of springs inside this model provides plenty of space for air to circulate, and the Classic sleeps nice and cool, with no issues trapping heat. (This can be an issue with all-foam models.) If you want that memory foam feel but struggle with sleeping hot, check out the GhostBed at #8. 

Price-wise, this sits in the premium range, but the build quality is impeccable and there are perks like white glove delivery included for free. If you have the budget, the Saatva Classic is a worthwhile investment. As a slightly cheaper, yet still luxurious alternative, check out the Brooklyn model at #4.

• Read more: Saatva Classic mattress review

Saatva Classic mattress: from $1,295 $1,195 at Saatva
You can save up to $350 on the price of a Saatva Classic, with prices starting from $1,195 and with the biggest savings reserved for the bigger mattress sizes. This is a pretty standard Saatva deal and isn't as good as their Black Friday deal back in November 2023 (which was the best Saatva sale we've seen this year), so you may want to see what the Memorial Day mattress sales have in store.

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The best mattress for side and back sleepers

Nectar's popular memory foam mattress offers a slight sink-in feel but with a more noticeable amount of firmness compared to squishier side sleeper mattresses like the Helix Midnight above. This medium-firm bed-in-a-box balances comfort and support brilliantly. It'll contour to the shape of your body to relieve pressure on your shoulders, hips and knees, so you won't wake up with aches and pains in those places, but it's still firm enough that you'll feel well supported. You won't sink deeply into this mattress, but you can still expect some cradling.

Our testers also found that the Nectar mattress does a brilliant job at minimizing motion transfer, so you won't feel your partner (or pet) move around in bed next to you. Because it's slightly firmer, it's also suitable for combi-sleepers who sometimes like to lie on their back or stomach, making it a versatile choice overall.

This bed is entirely foam (in fact, we think it's one of the very best memory foam mattresses you can buy). At the top, you'll find 3 inches of high-density gel memory foam, which Nectar has designed to work in tandem with 2 inches of adaptive response memory foam for extra support. At the base are 7 inches of standard foam to provide you with a sturdy sleeping space. 

All-foam mattresses can trap body heat and sleep warm. We didn't have any particular issues with this when we tried the Nectar, but if you know you sleep hot, consider the Cocoon (#3) instead. This is a similar all-foam design, but for a slightly higher price, you get a specialist cooling cover. Or if you have the budget, the GhostBed Luxe (#8) offers excellent cooling. 

The Nectar mattress also receives top marks for added extras: there's a 365-night mattress trial period and a Forever Warranty, which is the best you'll find anywhere. This mattress is basically never sold at MSRP – it's one of the best mattress in a box models when it comes to sheer value for money.

• Read more: Nectar Memory Foam mattress review

Nectar Mattress: from $699 $349 at Nectar
Head to Nectar right now for 40% off, taking the price of the queen size original down to $659. This is one of the best Nectar mattress deals we've seen and delivers incredible value for money. If you need bedding, you can add a bundle at a heavily discounted price. 

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The best memory foam mattress for side sleepers

If you tend to wake up with hip and knee pain from lying on your side, the Purple Mattress might well be the best option for you. We tested this mattress across all sleeping positions and it was particularly comfortable for side sleeping, thanks to Purple’s own Gel-Flex Grid technology; a durable hyper-elastic gel that flexes under pressure to deliver tailored support where you need it most.

While we found the edge support to be a little weak compared to similar mattresses, there's little else to complain about on the award-winning Purple Original. The combination of hyper-elastic polymer material and dual layers of foam reduce all pressure on your main impact points, and our testers felt supported from head to toe when sleeping on this mattress. It delivers good airflow too, making it an excellent choice for restless side sleepers who toss and turn at night because they’re overheating. 

We found it to have a true medium-firm feel; we didn’t sink in too much at the hips and back, so our spine stayed in neutral alignment and we didn't feel any stiffness upon waking up. Overall we found it supportive, comfortable and cool, and liked the responsive yet firm feel. You'll have 100 nights to trial it at home, with Purple refunding your money if you change your mind during the trial. 

• Read more: Purple Mattress review

Purple Mattress: was $999 now from $799 at Purple
This new Purple mattress deal is better value on the larger sizes of the Purple Mattress, reducing the price of a queen size to $1,199 (last year it cost $1,259). That means a saving of $200, making now is the best time to buy the Purple Mattress if you need a new bed urgently and can't wait for Memorial day in May to see if prices drop further. You'll also get free shipping and a 100-night trial too.

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The best budget cooling mattress for side sleepers

Made by industry giant Sealy, the Chill is a medium firm, all-foam mattress that delivers a lot for a mid-range price. Our reviewers all agreed that it's especially well suited to side sleepers, providing plenty of cushioning and support in this position. An upper layer of memory foam contours comfortably to the sleeper's body to provide tailored support, although you won't sink in as much as you will with some of the other models in our list. 

The real star of the show is the phase-change material in the stretch-knit cover, which does a great job of regulating the temperature and wicking away heat. In our review, even our hot sleeper didn't wake up feeling sweaty once. (That cover is the main reason to choose the Chill over the Nectar (#2), an otherwise very similar mattress for a slightly lower price.)

While the Chill doesn't have quite the chilling powers of the GhostBed (at #8), it sleeps impressively cool for an all-foam model at a lower-mid range price. In fact it's excellent value all round – the Chill is far cheaper than most specialist cooling models, and we rank it amongst the best mattresses under $1,000.

The Cocoon by Sealy Chill also absorbs motion extremely well, making it a great choice for light sleepers who share a bed. We wouldn't necessarily recommend this model to heavier weight individuals, though, who may sink through the memory foam layer and not get those body-contouring benefit.

• Read more: Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress review

Cocoon by Sealy Chill: was $619 now from $399 at Cocoon
There's 35% off the Chill, which is a standard Cocoon by Sealy sale, but the good news is that this mattress had an MSRP drop last year, so it's cheaper now than we've ever seen it. A queen is $699, which is incredible value. You'll take home up to $199 of free cooling pillows and sheets too.

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The best motion isolating mattress for side sleepers

The Amerisleep AS3 is a medium firmness mattress that's perfect for side sleepers. It's available in all-foam and hybrid versions – we tested the latter and were very impressed. The comfort levels are made with Amerisleep's proprietary Bio-Pur foam, which is made from plant materials and offers comfortable cushioning around the shoulders and hips – perfect for side sleeping. We also found this foam delivered much better temperature regulation than other mattress foams we've tested, making this a solid choice for hot sleepers.

Beneath the foam is a layer of pocket coils, which help add firmness. However, side sleepers who weigh over 250lb should approach with caution, as this mattress likely won't provide enough support. Combi sleepers should also be aware this mattress will probably be a little too soft for back / stomach sleeping.

The coils along the sides of the mattress are extra-sturdy, and in our review, we were impressed by the edge support on the AS3 Hybrid. That's good news if you want to be able to spread out over the whole mattress. Motion isolation is also excellent, meaning you won't be disturbed if your partner is a restless sleeper. 

• Read more: Amerisleep AS3 mattress review 

Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid mattress: From$1,499  $1,049 at Amerisleep 
Discounts in the region of $450 off of a queen size Amerisleep AS3 mattress are not unusual, but it is still a great price. It’s difficult to predict whether this discount will be topped when the Memorial Day deals drop in May, but we wouldn’t bet on it.  

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The best luxury cooling mattress for side sleepers

The GhostBed Luxe specializes in keeping sleepers cool. It's a little softer – we rate it a 6 out of 10 firmness in our tests – and well-suited to lighter-weight side sleepers who spend half the night kicking off the covers because they feel too hot to sleep through. It's also a good choice for couples as it provides excellent motion isolation.

Hot sleepers will be drawn to the Ghost Ice fabric quilted cover that helps the surface stay cool to the touch. This is followed by a 1-inch slab of gel memory foam to deliver a cozy body hug feel. After that comes an extra airflow-boosting layer, but we're most excited by the Ghost Ice Layer; it uses thermo-sensitivity tech to sense heat and keep the core of the mattress cool. None of our testers ever felt warm when sleeping on the GhostBed Luxe so the tech absolutely works.

There's an additional 2 inches of gel memory foam further down to relieve pressure points, followed by 2 inches of GhostBounce foam to contour to your body, with a 7.5-inch slab of high-density support foam at the base to help the mattress last for many a year to come. Edge support and motion isolation are also top-notch. Those who want a luxury mattress with a slow-moving feel will find this to be one of the best mattresses for side sleepers without question.

When you’re buying a mattress with the word 'Luxe' in the title, you can normally expect a softer feel and a heftier price tag. You get both here, although constant sales mean you can ignore the MSRP. If it's out of your budget but still want a cooling mattress, check out the budget-friendly Cocoon Chill (#3) or the mid-range Purple (#5).

• Read more: GhostBed Luxe mattress review

GhostBed Luxe: from $2,595 $1,298 at GhostBed
At MSRP, the GhostBed Luxe sits at the top end of the market, but the evergreen 50% off deal takes that price right down, and you'll get two pillows bundled in for free. You can still pick up a queen size for $1,548 (was $3,095). Head to our GhostBed mattress sale guide for more info. 

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The best budget organic mattress for side sleepers

The Awara Natural Hybrid is designed to support a range of sleeping positions, but during our testing we found it especially comfortable for side sleeping. This was surprising considering it has a firmer feel than the other options in this guide, but it has a lot to do with the addition of a two-inch top layer of natural Dunlop latex, which provides an instant hit of cushioning and contouring comfort for the body, and feels great around the hips, shoulders and knees when you're lying on your side.

The use of springy latex foam means that the Awara helps to relieve all major pressure points during sleep. However, we would add a caveat here: this might be too firm a surface for lightweight side sleepers, unless of course you prefer to sleep on a firm mattress. 

There is also a downside to that level of responsiveness: the motion isolation isn't as good here as it is with some of the softer options in our ranking. It won't be a deal-breaker for most of us, but it’s something to keep in mind if you're sharing a bed and one of you is a restless sleeper prone to switching positions frequently during the night. There's plenty of naturally breathable materials to keep you cooler during sleep too, with the addition of temperature-regulating organic New Zealand wool and moisture-wicking organic cotton. 

The perks here are outstanding: a 365-night trial, with a Lifetime Warranty. As well as a price that's cheaper than many of today's best organic mattresses, you'll also receive a big bundle of free bedding, making this fantastic value.

• Read more: Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress review

Awara Natural Hybrid: from $1,299 $649 at Awara
Right now there's up to $765 off the Awara Hybrid, but it isn't the cheapest deal we've seen in all the time we've been tracking its prices. A queen drops to $949, but previous sales had plummeted the price to $750. Still, this may be the lowest you'll see the price this month, but the Memorial Day mattress sales in May could bring some bigger price drops. 

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The best soft mattress for side sleepers

The SleepOvation mattress is one of the softest mattresses we've tried, rating it as a 5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. While back and front sleepers general benefit from a firmer sleep surface, side sleepers can often get away with a slightly more plush mattress, because the softness provides space for the hips and shoulders to sink in comfortably, without throwing the spine out of alignment. 

Developed by a sleep industry veteran with the intention of alleviating back pain, the SleepOvation mattress has an unusual design that features freely-suspended 3-inch foam pockets plus a layer of 8-inch carbon steel cushion pocket springs to provide precise support and also move with the sleeper. In theory, this sounds remarkable – but in practice, this will all depend on the level of firmness you require to feel comfortable. You'll only really benefit from the SleepOvation if you like your mattress to curve and dip to shape itself to your body.

Aside from the polarizing squishiness, one area where the SleepOvation mattress shines is temperature regulation. Its compartmentalized design and knit top cover allow for ample airflow and heat dissipation, keeping sleepers nice and cool.

• Read more: SleepOvation mattress review

Kiwi Sleep Mattress: from $1,624 $1,088 pillows at Kiwi Sleep
Kiwi Sleep (formerly SleepOvation) has now lowered its apparently permanent offer that knocks 20% off mattresses. Instead, you can now get 33% off, which cuts the price of a queen to $1,775 (the MSRP is $2,649 and its evergreen discount price is $2,119 ). It may be still in the premium bracket, but this is a much bigger price drop than its usual deals offer. So if you're in the market for a luxe mattress by Kiwi Sleep, now is the time to buy. 

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The best mattress for side sleepers under $500

If you're on a very tight budget and/or only need something for occasional use, the Zinus Green Tea is one of the best-known cheap mattress options. It'll suit side sleepers in particular thanks to its top layer of cushioning memory foam, atop two more foam tiers (all CertiPUR-US certified). This mattress is available in a range of depths from 6" to 12" – thinner models will typically feel firmer, while thicker ones will provide more cushioning. Typically we'd recommend a minimum of 10" for most adults, while lighter weight people or children might get away with something thinner. We tested out the 10-inch version and judged it to be on the firmer side of medium-firm, but with good pressure relief. 

While our testers found this mattress surprisingly comfortable for the price, and worthy of a spot in our best budget mattress and best mattress on Amazon rankings, do temper your expectations. For such a low price, you'll be making some concessions when it comes to performance and longevity. If you can afford it, something in the lower-mid range bracket like the Nectar at #2, represents a big step up in quality.

All-foam mattresses, and especially budget models, do struggle with temperature regulation, and the Zinus is no exception. This mattress can sleep a bit warm, and we wouldn't recommend it for anyone who regularly overheats at night (consider the Cocoon Chill at #3 instead).

• Read more: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress review 

Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress: From $249 at Zinus 
The MSRP on the Zinus Green Tea has changed in the time that we've been tracking its prices. Prices now start at $249 on the 10" model, which is up from $169. However, the price of a 12" with additional green tea cooling has fallen. This means that a queen size 12" mattress is now $499 instead of $639. This permanent budget-friendly price tag makes it a great deal if you're looking for a new queen-size memory foam bed.

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How we test side sleeper mattresses

The Tom’s Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks – that's roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to a new mattress – and spend hours testing the performance of each product.  

Mattress firmness is subjective, so each lead reviewer also forms a trusted and experienced testing panel made up of people with different sleep needs and body types. We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with lighter, average and heavier bodies, who rate each mattress using a specific set of performance criteria. 

Together, these processes enable us to produce accurate, well-balanced and data-backed mattress reviews, to help you easily decide whether the mattress you’re interested in really is the best choice for you. Read our full mattress methodology for more.

The best mattress for side sleepers 2024: How we test

Every month we research and test the latest mattresses for side sleepers in order to provide expert recommendations. This process involves sleeping on the mattress for at least three weeks, which is roughly how long your body takes to get used to a new mattress. In addition to this, we then spend hours scientifically testing each product. 

Mattress firmness and comfort is subjective, so we also invite a trusted wider testing panel to also sleep on the mattress. This panel is made up of a range of different body types and sleep needs. We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with both lighter and heavier than average bodies. 

We then use our test data to rank each mattress out of ten, which helps form a well-balanced and data-backed mattress review. This review process is entirely independent and not influenced by third parties. For a more in-depth look at our review process, take a look at our mattress methodology. 

Best side sleeper mattress FAQs

What is the best mattress for a side sleeper?

Side sleepers need uniform pressure relief since their hips and shoulders place increased force on the mattress. It’s also important for sleepers in this position to buy a mattress that supports the spine and helps you keep a neutral spine while snoozing. All of the models in this best mattress for side sleepers guide do all of that and more. 

Side sleepers shouldn’t buy a mattress that’s too soft as it could compress the spine and lead to pain. On the other hand, a mattress that’s too firm might make those points of the body that hit the mattress hardest – such as your shoulders and hips – feel too much pressure. Also, if you’re a side sleeper who prefers to sleep on the edge of the bed, you’ll want a mattress that offers robust edge support so that you are constantly supported and don't feel like you're tumbling out of bed.

When buying a new mattress, make sure it has a trial period of at least 100 nights so you can see how the mattress feels as a side sleeper without making a purchase you’re stuck with for years to come. All of the best mattress in a box brands offer trial periods, with 100 nights being the average and 365 nights being the most generous. Don't forget to invest in a good quality mattress protector too, because if you don't cover your new side sleeper mattress properly during the trial period, you may not be able to return it should you change your mind.

Also, consider your budget. You don't have to necessarily spend the most money in order to achieve a perfect night's sleep. Browsing regular mattress sales will help you save on a new bed — and you may even avail of other perks like free bedding. Presidents Day is coming up, and we anticipate some substantial discounts on our favorite side sleeper mattresses in the upcoming sales. However, Black Friday mattress deals tend to be when we see the largest savings of the year.

If you’re in the market for more new bedding, then consider one of the best pillows for sleeping, as well as a cozy comforter made from either down or a cooling down-alternative. For sleepers with anxiety, take a look at our guide to the best weighted blankets.

Read more:

• The best Saatva mattress sales to shop now
• Our guide to the latest Tempur-Pedic mattress deals
• Get a hybrid for less with the best DreamCloud mattress sales