The best mattresses for side sleepers
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With so many brands to choose from, shopping online for the right mattress can be challenging. This is especially true for side sleepers. In fact, the firmness of a bed and the materials can have a profound effect on your comfort if you sleep on your side.
When shopping for mattresses, side sleepers should be on the lookout for beds that offer an equal balance of support and cushioning. A supportive base layer will help to maintain a healthy sleep posture, while a soft layer of cushioning at the top of the mattress will relieve pressure on the shoulders and hip bones.
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1. Tuft & Needle Mint
Tuft & Needle makes our favorite affordable mattress and specializes in cost-effective foam options that offer a superb balance between soft and firm. We would happily recommend most Tuft & Needle mattresses, but the Mint, in particular, is ideally suited for side sleepers. It’s supportive and soft in equal measure and takes just a few minutes to contour to the shape of a side sleeper and provide enough cushioning to keep them comfortable. The mattress also does a great job of diffusing heat and isolating motion, making it an excellent option for anyone.
2. Saatva Classic
If you’re still weary of the mattress-in-a-box craze and just want something that feels like a traditional mattress, then the Saatva Classic is a good option. It’s also ideal for side sleepers. The mattress is pleasantly firm but strikes an outstanding balance making it exceptionally comfortable for side sleepers.
3. Nolah Evolution
Nolah’s best-selling Evolution hybrid mattress offers a perfect blend of cushioning and support and is ideal for side sleepers who prefer a firm mattress to rest their weary head. It might be too firm for some, but if the sinking sensation of overly soft foam mattresses leaves you cold, then the Nolah is a great choice.
4. Purple Mattress
Firm mattresses can be problematic for side sleepers as they can put pressure on the shoulder and hip bones. While the Purple mattress is pretty firm, it’s not too firm for side sleeping. It’s also supportive enough for back sleepers, but side sleepers won't feel as though it aggravated pressure points such as the hip and shoulders either. That said, some side sleepers may find it a bit too solid for their preferred sleeping position.
5. Puffy Lux
Generally, hybrid mattresses are best suited to side sleepers. The innerspring base provides the necessary support, while the top foam layer offers enough cushioning to relieve pressure on the parts of the body that protrude while sleeping on your side. The Puffy Lux is a delightfully soft hybrid mattress making it particularly comfortable for side sleepers.
6. Nectar
If your idea of the perfect mattress resembles a squishy marshmallow, then the Nectar might be for you. The Nectar mattress is seriously plush and possibly one of the softest we have tested. It’s probably too soft to be of use to stomach or back sleepers, but it's pretty much ideal for those who sleep on their side.
7. Leesa Hybrid
The Leesa Hybrid is currently the best mattress we have tested and combines memory foam with supportive, responsive springs for a top-shelf experience regardless of your sleeping position. While we would recommend this mattress to anyone, it provided excellent support and cushioning for side sleepers.
8. Serta Perfect Sleeper
The Serta Perfect Sleeper is one of our favorite affordable mattresses and offers value for its price and a well-balanced medium-firmness that’s perfect for side sleepers. The foam layers provide just the right amount of resistance so you won’t feel mired by the sinking-in sensation so common with many foam mattresses. This blend of softness and firm support make it an excellent option for side sleepers.
9. Casper Element Pro
The Casper Element Pro isn’t the best mattress we have tested. In fact, it struggled in certain key areas, such as heat diffusion and edge support. However, it is a very soft all-foam mattress and doesn’t put uncomfortable pressure on the hips and shoulders of a side sleeper. Foam mattresses, particularly ones made with memory foam, typically absorb weight and cushion around the body, providing a sinking-in sensation.
It may not be the best mattress for everyone, but it's a good option if you’re a solitary side sleeper.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Mattresses for side sleepers: The best options from Leesa, Nectar and more
