This 4-star side sleeper mattress has dropped to $204 for a queen in flash Memorial Day deal

The Zinus 12-inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom. In the top right corner is close up of a hand testing the Zinus 10-inch Green Tea Memory Foam mattress. Next to it is a Tom's Guide Price Drop deals badge — (Image credit: Zinus | Future)

Side sleepers seeking an affordable mattress that won't leave your shoulders hurting, look no further — the 12-inch Zinus Green Tea mattress is just $204 for a queen at Amazon, making it one of our top budget picks in the Memorial Day sales.

I slept on the 10-inch version of this mattress and although I'm not a natural side sleeper, it was this position I found myself gravitating towards. You would too, when wrapped up in the full-body hug of the Zinus. It's among the best cheap mattresses you can buy for side sleepers.

Memorial Day is a great time to snag a saving on the best mattresses we've tested and in our Memorial Day mattress sales hub we've found all the biggest deals for every budget. But stick around here and I'll tell you why, based on my testing, the Zinus mattress is an unbeatable affordable choice.

For more options, we're tracking the best value Memorial Day mattress sales and bedding deals live, with prices from $49.

Side sleeper pressure relief for less

It was the cushioning that first made me stand up and take notice of the Zinus Green Tea mattress (or, more accurately, lie down and take notice.)

Sitting on the medium to medium-soft end of the mattress firmness scale, the plush foams of the Zinus slowly mold to your body, holding you in a cradling hug. This helps redistribute weight along the body, so pressure isn't focused on any one place.

A hand pressing into the surface of the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress — (Image credit: Future)

It's this feature that makes the Zinus Green Tea one of the best mattresses for side sleepers, as the cushioning relieves pressure at the shoulder and hip.

And I only tested the 10-inch model — I imagine the 12-inch turns it up a notch.

However, that does mean this thicker design likely exacerbates some of the issues I had with the 10-inch Zinus mattress. For a start, temperature control. Those dense squishy foams have a tendency to trap heat, resulting in some sweaty nights. With summer upon us, I recommend you pair your Zinus 12-inch mattress with light bedding and a breathable pillow.

If you want a more luxurious foam mattress...

The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress is great for anyone who wants cushioning on a tight budget but if you have the money to invest more in your mattress, you can expect better durability and support.

The Nectar Premier is the top pick in our guide to the best memory foam mattresses and it delivers similarly superb pressure relief for side sleepers. It's also more breathable than the Zinus with better edge support, giving it a stronger performance all-round.

More of today's best bed sales

Saatva Classic – best overall: From $999 (was $1,399) at Saatva
Helix Midnight Luxe: From $1,089 (was $1,492) at Helix
DreamCloud Classic: From $349 (was $1,346) at DreamCloud
Siena Signature: From $159 (was $484) at Siena
Allswell Home 10" Hybrid: From $192 (was $214) at Walmart
Bear Elite Hybrid: From $1,198 (was $1,998) with TOMS40 code at Bear
Tempur-Cloud + Base: From $1,718 (was $2,598) at Tempur-Pedic
Plank Firm: From $524.30 (was $749) at Plank

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Ruth is an experienced Senior Staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things sleep and mattresses. She writes to help people sleep better, from how-tos to the latest deals to mattress reviews, and has interviewed an array of experts who share her passion. She is also our specialist on memory foam — she’s flown around the world to see memory foam being made — and leads our hotel mattress content. She has a deep interest in the link between sleep and health, and has tried enough mattresses, from Helix to Nectar to Simba, to know the right bed really can make a difference to your wellbeing. Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, Ruth worked as a sleep and mattress writer for our sister website, TechRadar.