Best mattress for side sleepers in 2023

If you're after the best mattress for side sleepers, it probably means that your current mattress isn't up to the task of delivering adequate pressure relief for your joints in the night, resulting in you starting the day with aches and pains. Fortunately we're here to help you change things for the better.

In our expert guide to the best mattress for side sleepers, we've lined up supportive and pressure-relieving options from top sleep brands including Helix, Purple and Saatva. Like most of the leading models in our best mattress roundup, these mattresses are designed in ways that enable you to sleep comfortably on your side, with features such as plush top layers to cushion your joints and support your spine, and cooling technology to stop you overheating in the night.

We've picked out the best options, including memory foam, hybrid and innerspring models, at a range of price points, so you should quickly be able to find the ideal mattress for your sleep preferences. Bear in mind, though, that in most cases you should never have to pay full price for your mattress; mattress sales are a year-round thing for the majority of brands, and to help you buy with confidence we've included pricing information with our listings.

Each mattress comes with a risk-free trial period, so you don't need to worry about getting stuck with a bed that's not right for you; if it doesn't live up to your expectations you can simply return it for a full refund. So then, let’s take a look at the best mattresses for side sleepers, so you can finally get the sleep you deserve.

The best mattress for side sleepers in 2023 – as chosen by experts

(Image credit: Helix)

When it comes to sleeping comfortably on your side, top bed-in-a-box brand Helix ticks all the right boxes with its Midnight mattress. Its hybrid construction includes Helix’s own Memory Plus Foam, which provides plenty of pressure relief and superb levels of comfort. On top of this layer is a superb cooling cover that’s super-soft to the touch too. In the middle a transition layer provides ergonomic support above a layer of wrapped coils that cradles the body and keep motion transfer to a minimum. There is also a durable foundation so you can ensure stability throughout the mattress.

As one of best hybrid mattresses you can buy right now, the Helix Midnight is a great choice for side sleepers, providing plenty of cushioning to cradle the hips and shoulders, as well as enough support to keep the spine aligned. We tested this mattress over a number of weeks and while it delivered plenty of comfort, some sleepers might find the Helix Midnight too soft – especially if you sometimes sleep on your back or weigh more than average (for something firmer and more supportive, check out the Saatva Classic (opens in new tab)). Overall, though, this is a smart choice for most side sleepers.

Read more:  Helix Midnight mattress review

(Image credit: Purple)

Popular mattress brand Purple brings a unique twist to comfortable sleep with its patented Purple Grid; a flexible, durable layer designed to cradle your body. You're getting similar benefits to memory foam – motion isolation, pressure relief – but the grid is more naturally breathable, so a good choice if you know you sleep hot. The 'Plus' bit is additional layer of foam layer to amp up the softness, especially around your hips and shoulders when lying on your side.

With its grid, the Purple Plus mattress adapts to your sleeping position, providing a surface that feels both soft and firm – ideal if you suffer from joint pain and are looking for support as well as cushioning. There is also plenty of stability here for co-sleepers as motion transfer is kept to a minimum. This mattress also has two layers of softer comfort foam and a layer of firmer support foam beneath the Purple Grid. Any caveats to be aware of? Despite the foam rails around the edge of the mattress, edge support is still pretty average compared to the competition.

While there is plenty of tech on offer, the Purple Plus is one of the more expensive options on our list. For your money, however, there is an assurance of quality, with an exceptionally well-made bed that is guaranteed to last the distance. Find out more about it in our guide: Should I buy the Purple Plus mattress?

(Image credit: Nectar Sleep)

The Nectar is a great all-rounder memory foam mattress that will suit plenty of tastes and sleep styles. Nectar’s flagship mattress is designed with ultimate comfort in mind, with the brand claiming, “It’s like sleeping on a cloud”. The bed comprises five layers – at the top is a quilted cooling cover and a layer of gel-infused memory foam for further cooling. In the middle is a layer of foam that offers breathable support plus “rebound and bounce”. The base gives plenty of stability with firmer foam, and finally there’s a shift-resistant lower cover ideal to keep the bed in place if you’re prone to tossing and turning. In our Nectar mattress review, we found it delivered good pressure relief – essential for side sleepers if you're to avoid waking up with a sore shoulder or hip – and motion isolation, making it a great choice for anyone who shares a bed with a partner.

Considering the amount of features and comfort on offer, the Nectar mattress offers great value for money, and even better, this mattress is frequently on sale so you can get even bigger and better discounts when you shop online via the Nectar website. If you’re looking for even more deals, then check out our guide to the best memory foam mattresses. 

(Image credit: Saatva)

Luxury doesn’t get any better than top sleep brand Saatva, whose excellent choice of mattresses deliver comfortably when it comes to premium materials and design. With its hybrid innerspring Saatva Classic mattress, the brand provides three different firmnesses and two heights so you can choose what suits you best, based on your body weight and preferred mattress feel. Side sleepers will benefit from the firmness of the innerspring coils and plush and pillowy top layer that cushions the joints. The mattress also features lumbar technology to ensure your spine is always well supported.

In our Saatva Classic review, our testers found it was comfortable in all sleeping positions, and well-suited to hot sleepers and people with back pain. If you suffer from allergies, then you can rest assured this bed includes hypoallergenic materials to keep you comfortable as you sleep. It also uses organic cotton and a natural plant-based flame retardant instead of chemicals. Other benefits for the price include a generous 365-night trial, free delivery and setup in a room of choice, and a lifetime warranty as a sign of the trust Saatva places in its product. If you’re looking for cozy comfort combined with pure quality the Saatva Classic is a superb choice.

(Image credit: DreamCloud)

The DreamCloud Mattress is an affordable luxury hybrid that's designed to deliver hotel-quality comfort, and its premium construction and bouncy, soft, and supportive feel make it a great fit for most side sleepers.

In our DreamCloud Mattress review we were particularly impressed by how it excels in pressure relief, noting that this would make it an excellent choice for anyone who experiences joint pain; it also means that it's a solid option for anyone who sleeps on their side. We also found that the DreamCloud really hits the spot when it comes to temperature regulation and motion isolation, so if you tend to sleep hot or share a bed with a restless partner, it'll make your nights a lot more restful.

One thing worth mentioning is its firmness; DreamCloud rates this mattress as medium-firm, and while it should suit most side sleepers, it could prove to be just a little on the firm side for people of a lighter build. Most people, however, will appreciate its top build quality, including a cashmere blend quilted foam topper, three layers of memory foam and an innerspring base, all of which combine to deliver a feel that's responsive yet cradling with a nice amount of cushion, with enough support to keep your head, neck, shoulders and spine aligned.

The DreamCloud is regularly discounted by at least $200 depending on the size, and it usually comes with a welcome bundle of sleep accessories worth up to $500, including a cooling pillow, sheet set and mattress protector.

(Image credit: GhostBed)

If you’re a side sleeper who’s lighter in weight or prefers the feel of a softer mattress then the GhostBed Luxe is a great choice for you. This soft mattress offers plenty of pressure relief around the hips and shoulders, as well as excellent motion isolation (which makes it a great choice for those sharing a bed).As a premium brand, the GhostBed Luxe doesn’t come cheap, but there are plenty of features on offer for the price. First it claims to be 'the coolest bed in the world', with patented cooling technology included in the quilted cover (in our GhostBed Luxe mattress review, our tester agreed it was cool for an all-foam model, but not cooler than an innerspring model). It also features a contouring gel memory layer and a bouncier layer that offers a spring-like feel for its all-foam construction. 

It’s a medium-plush feel, so if you’re after a firmer mattress, then this might not be quite right for you, but there is still enough support with a 7.5in layer high-density core that also provides durability. As mentioned, this is not a cheap option, but included is a 101-night trial, 25-year warranty and you will also get free shipping. 

(Image credit: Awara)

Some side sleepers don't want to sink too deeply into their mattress, but they'll still want enough pressure relief along their shoulders, hips, and knees. Enter the Awara Natural Hybrid mattress, an organic model that features innersprings combined with Dunlop latex – a material that doesn't sink as low as most synthetic foams. That results in a gentle contouring that feels less like a hug and more like a cradle. If you're on the lighter side, it may take you some time to fully break the Awara in but for larger side sleepers who want a firmer bed, you'll be comfortable almost instantly.

If you tend to shift to the edges of your bed, the Awara has a sturdy build with edges that won't compress too much so there will be no need to worry much about falling over whilst sleeping. However, unless you and your partner are both very sound sleepers, we're hesitant to recommend this one for couples. Latex is a buoyant material, and the presence of coils doesn't do much to mitigate movement.

Organic mattresses tend to be expensive, but they've come down in price in recent years. The Awara is the best organic mattress at a budget price, and there are regular Awara mattress sales that take up to hundreds of dollars off and add free bedding with your purchase. A 1-year trial is available, as is a lifetime warranty. 

What's the best type of mattress for side sleepers?

If you sleep on your side or are a combination sleeper, the aim is to choose a mattress that provides enough sinkage and cushioning as well as support. While you will find these qualities in all types of mattress, memory foam mattresses or hybrids with a cushioning or gel layer are more likely to provide the stability and softness you need. Plus memory foam mattresses provide a good level of contouring for the body to keep the spine straight and comfortable. You should also use a medium-loft pillow that keeps your head at the right height to align with the spine and get a comfortable night’s sleep.

Should side sleepers get a soft or firm mattress?

When sleeping, one of the most important things to consider – no matter what position you sleep in – is if your spine is properly aligned. If you sleep on your side, it’s crucial that the mattress is soft enough to cushion pressure points at the knees, hips and shoulders, but also provide enough support for the spine to stay straight.

As such, the best firmness of a mattress will depend on your body weight, with lighter weight and petite sleepers being more suited to softer mattresses, and heavier weight and taller sleepers being a better fit for a firmer mattress, so they get proper support for their back and joints. The mattress should contour the body without you feeling stifled or overheating. One of the best ways to check if a mattress is for you is to take advantage of a no-risk sleep trial as offered by many top sleep brands.