Side sleeping is a prevalent and comfortable position more than 65% of the population enjoys. For those who prefer to drift off in this cozy posture, choosing the right mattress is paramount to a restful night’s sleep. Enter medium-firmness mattresses – they emerge as the ideal companions for side sleepers. Why? Because these mattresses strike the perfect balance between support and cushioning.
Side-sleepers, in particular, demand a mattress that caters to the unique contours of their bodies. Most of their weight is concentrated around the shoulders and hips and medium-firmness mattresses offer much-needed pressure relief, cradling these sensitive areas while providing the necessary support for spinal alignment. If you’re one of the millions who prefer sleeping on your side, investing in a medium-firm mattress, or should you prefer soft or firm mattresses a mattress designed for side sleepers, could be the key to waking up refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to conquer the day ahead. Say goodbye to those restless nights and hello to the benefits of side sleeping on the right mattress.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Best Overall - Helix Midnight Luxe
Best Cooling - Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
Best Memory Foam - Leesa Original
Best for Recovery - Bear Elite Hybrid
Best Organic - Birch Luxe
(Helix Mattress | For 3Z Brands, sponsored) This top-tier mattress boasts a five-layer hybrid design with three premium foam top layers engineered to provide unparalleled comfort.
Helix Midnight LUXE - Best Overall
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (the brand offers soft, medium, and firm)
Warranty: 15 years
Price: $1,899
The Helix Midnight Luxe stands out as the frontrunner in the world of mattresses, and it’s easy to see why. This top-tier mattress boasts a five-layer hybrid design with three premium foam top layers engineered to provide unparalleled comfort. Specifically tailored for side sleepers, the Helix Midnight Luxe features a memory foam layer that works diligently to alleviate pressure points around your hips and shoulders, ensuring you wake up refreshed and pain-free.
What truly sets Helix apart is their commitment to personalization. With a diverse collection of 20 mattresses designed to cater to different sleep styles and preferences, Helix ensures a perfect fit for everyone. Side sleepers, in particular, benefit from the option to choose between three firmness levels: soft, medium, and firm, allowing them to select the one that suits them best. This level of customization, combined with the convenience of the sleep quiz, makes finding your ideal mattress effortless. It’s no wonder that the Helix Midnight Luxe consistently earns top marks as the premier choice for side sleepers and receives accolades from respected publications such as Forbes, Wired, GQ, and more. Discover the epitome of comfort and support with the Helix Midnight Luxe.
(Leesa | For 3Z Brands, sponsored) The comfort layer foam used in the Leesa Original is exclusive to the brand and goes the extra mile to combat a common issue with all-foam mattresses – heat retention.
The Leesa Original, the mattress that started it all for Leesa, continues to shine as a testament to quality and innovation. Crafted with a three-layer, all-foam construction, it’s a favorite among sleepers, particularly those who favor the side-sleeping position. Memory foam, a vital component of the Leesa Original, is celebrated for its ability to contour the body, offering exceptional pressure relief around the hips and shoulders, precisely where side sleepers need it most.
What sets Leesa apart is their commitment to enhancing the sleep experience. The comfort layer foam used in the Leesa Original is exclusive to the brand and goes the extra mile to combat a common issue with all-foam mattresses – heat retention. This innovation ensures a cooler and more comfortable night’s sleep. Furthermore, Leesa mattresses are designed to reduce motion transfer, so you can rest undisturbed even if your partner tosses and turns. Beyond quality sleep, Leesa believes in giving back and partnering with thousands of local organizations to make a difference. For every ten mattresses sold, Leesa donates one mattress to a family in need, positively impacting both the sleep quality of their customers and the lives of those less fortunate. When you choose the Leesa Original, you’re not just investing in a great night’s sleep but also supporting a brand dedicated to making the world a better place, one mattress at a time.
(Bear Elite Hybrid | For 3Z Brands, sponsored) Experience the epitome of luxury and comfort with the Bear Elite Hybrid, Bear’s most sought-after mattress that caters to discerning sleepers seeking a blend of luxury and performance.
Bear Elite Hybrid - Best for Recovery
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Soft, Medium, Firm
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $1,373
Experience the epitome of luxury and comfort with the Bear Elite Hybrid, Bear’s most sought-after mattress that caters to discerning sleepers seeking a blend of luxury and performance. The Elite Hybrid offers two ideal firmness options for side sleepers: soft and medium. This ensures that your hips and shoulders receive the perfect balance of support and cushioning, resulting in a restful night’s sleep.
What truly sets the Bear Elite Hybrid apart is its cutting-edge cooling technology. By combining PCM (phase-change material) Fabric with Celliant fiber, this mattress delivers all-night cooling, promoting better recovery and undisturbed rest. It’s a well-balanced choice for all-position sleepers, with a copper-infused memory foam layer and a zoned-coil unit that provides side sleepers with the precise pressure point relief and contouring they need. The zoned-coil system offers up to 4 times the pressure relief for side sleepers compared to conventional mattresses. And with specialized coils surrounding the mattress’s perimeter, you can enjoy excellent edge support. It’s no wonder the Bear Elite Hybrid was crowned the Best Hybrid Mattress of 2023 by GoodHousekeeping, a testament to its excellence in comfort, support, and innovation. Elevate your sleep experience to the elite level with Bear Elite Hybrid.
(Birch Luxe | For 3Z Brands, sponsored) With the Birch Luxe, you’re not just investing in a mattress but embracing a sustainable, luxurious, and side-sleeper-friendly sleep experience.
Birch Luxe - Best Organic
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium-Firm
Warranty: 25-years
Price: $2,599
The Birch Luxe mattress is a true testament to the beauty of eco-conscious craftsmanship. It’s meticulously constructed with various environmentally friendly and organic materials, each responsibly sourced from nature. From the organic cotton cover to the organic wool and cashmere layers and the natural latex core, every component is carefully chosen to create a sustainable and comfortable sleeping experience. Moreover, the Birch Luxe proudly boasts GOTS and GREENGUARD Gold Certification, meeting the most stringent emissions and air quality standards, ensuring you’re sleeping in a healthier environment.
The Birch Luxe is a top choice for side sleepers due to its thoughtful design. The zoned lumbar support within the steel coil unit and the use of natural Talalay latex provide the perfect combination of support and plushness. Talalay latex is renowned for its consistent feel and ability to offer a plusher surface. It is ideal for side sleepers who require exceptional pressure relief around the hips and shoulders. To add to the allure, the plush cotton cover, ultra-fine cashmere, moisture-wicking wool, and latex work harmoniously to enhance airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the night. Plus, the natural bounce of latex provides an excellent alternative to the memory foam feel, catering to those who prefer a more responsive and buoyant sleep surface. With the Birch Luxe, you’re not just investing in a mattress but embracing a sustainable, luxurious, and side-sleeper-friendly sleep experience.
Nolah Evolution ‘15
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Plush, Luxury Firm, Firm, Comfort+ (for heavy sleepers)
Best for:
Warranty: Forever
Price: $1,699 (*price changes depending on discount)
The Nolah Evolution ‘15 is a seven-layer hybrid mattress that is the most popular mattress in the Nolah collection. It is known for its cooling quilted Euro-top, proprietary AirFoam that is specifically designed for side sleepers, and graphite-infused AirFoamICE layer that quickly dissipates heat. The mattress also features 8-inch HDMax Tri Zone coils for motion isolation and targeted support, and excellent edge support with 13.75 gauge coils around the perimeter.
The Nolah brand was built specifically for side sleepers, and the Nolah Evolution ‘15 builds on the all the best features of the Nolah Original (an all foam mattress) to create a luxury hybrid mattress. The AirFoam and AirFoamICE layers provide just the right amount of “give” without sinking, while the HDMax Tri Zone coils provide targeted support and proper spinal alignment. The quilted Euro-top and edge support make the mattress feel luxurious and durable.
Overall, the Nolah Evolution ‘15 is a well-rounded hybrid mattress that is well-suited for side sleepers who are looking for a comfortable, supportive, and cooling sleep.