Did you know that 60% of adults in the US sleep on their sides? I'm one of them — and if you're reading this, chances are you are, as well (or maybe your partner is).
We're hard at work this weekend searching for deals on the best mattresses and other sleep essentials, but this hub is dedicated to the side sleepers (like me!) who are looking for items that'll soothe their joints while promoting a healthy, neutral spine.
Mattresses
The Helix Midnight Luxe is tailor-made for side sleepers. It boasts ample plushness to soothe the joints, reliable full-body support to keep everything aligned, and a luxe finish that'll make you forget it's a mattress-in-a-box.
It's a versatile mattress. Not only do we find it absolutely heavenly for side sleeping, but it's also immensely comfortable for back sleeping. The plush pillow top delivers loads of contouring to prevent the pressure buildup that leads to dead hips, sore backs, and other unpleasantries.
The reinforced coils in the center of the mattress promote a neutral spine, no matter how you lie. However, if you're like me and deal with occasional lower back pain, consider adding the optional ErgoAlign layer for a supportive boost.
The Midnight Luxe is an excellent all-rounder, acing our in-house and at-home tests for motion isolation, edge support, and temperature regulation. Speaking of which, you can turn it into a specialist cooling mattress by adding a GlacioTex cover and a layer of CoolForce graphite ribbons. Just know that these upgrades will cost you quite a bit for an already-premium mattress.
- Read more: Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress review
The Zinus Green Tea is a frequent best seller among Amazon mattresses. As of writing, it has a 4.3/5 star rating from over 160,000 Amazon shoppers. For context, that's around the size of a medium-sized city in the US.
We've tested it ourselves and consider it one of the best cheap mattresses you can buy. It has that classic memory foam hug, courtesy of its medium-soft tension. This suited our side sleeping testers just fine, but I'm less inclined to recommend this bed if you're inclined to sleep on your back or stomach.
The dense foams also work to Zinus' advantage when it comes to dampening movement, but less so for cooling, as they trap heat. (The ambient temperature also influences the feel of the foams; they'll be slightly softer when it's warm.)
But the real draw here (aside from its cushy side-sleeping comfort) is the cost. For Black Friday, a queen Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress is less than $200. That's an outstanding bargain, especially if you need a new bed for a guest room or a temporary arrangement. (Forget the air mattress!)
- Read more: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress review
The DreamCloud has been among our favorite hybrid mattresses for years — and a recent revamp of its flagship bed hasn't changed that one bit. If anything, the new DreamCloud Classic improves upon its predecessors without losing what made those previous models great.
Surprisingly, DreamCloud calls its Classic Hybrid a firm bed, but our testers felt it's a balanced, medium feel. (Remember that firmness is subjective!) This translated to a near weightless effect for our side sleeping reviewers, who felt "zero pressure" in their touchpoints from the contouring quilted top.
Just be careful if you occasionally flip to your back or front, or share a bed with a restless partner. The level of support and motion isolation might not be enough. (In that case, check out the DreamCloud Classic Memory Foam Mattress.) On the other hand, we're fans of the consistent edge-to-edge support, and most people should sleep temperature-neutral on it.
It's hard to argue with such a spectacular value for money. The DreamCloud hits that sweet spot between the premium Midnight Luxe and the bargain-friendly Zinus. Better yet, DreamCloud includes free pillows, sheets, and a mattress protector, along with a one-year trial and a forever warranty.
- Read more: DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress review
Bed toppers
Pillows
Why is sleeping on your side good for you?
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According to experts we've spoken to, your side is the best position for sleep. This is because resting on your side helps promote a neutral spine and protects the joints, which means you won't be waking up sore in the morning.
Side sleeping can also be beneficial if you snore, deal with acid reflux or other GI issues, or are pregnant. It can even help your cardiovascular health, as your heart won't have to work as hard to get blood to other organs when you're on your side.
Should you sleep on your left side or right side?
Whether you favor your right or left, you'll reap the benefits of side sleeping — but there are some exceptions.
Your left side is generally considered more "ideal" for sleeping if you're pregnant because it can improve blood flow and reduce heartburn, per experts we've consulted. (That said, right-side sleeping is unlikely to cause harm, but consult your OB-GYN if you have questions.)
Left side sleeping is also not recommended for patients with heart failure, according to this study.
Meanwhile, sleeping on your right side is generally safe, especially if you snore, deal with lower back pain, or have fibromyalgia.
In either case, you'll want to make sure your top leg is positioned properly when you're on your right or left. If it hangs forward or hyperflexes, you'll trigger pain in the hips and/or sciatic nerve on the side that's not against the mattress.
Is side sleeping comfortable for everyone?
If you have severe shoulder, hip, or knee pain, a side sleeping position may cause you more harm than good. Instead, try sleeping on your back, as this neutral position will ensure proper weight distribution and prevent further discomfort.
If you can't train yourself to switch from your side to your back, an adjustable base may help.
