Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

What to look for if you sleep on your side

Aim for a medium to medium-soft feel with at least two to three inches of conforming comfort material. Memory foam and latex both contour, but they feel different under you: foam sinks in and cradles, latex pushes back and keeps you more on top of the bed. A hybrid build splits the difference by pairing those comfort layers with a pocketed coil unit, which is why hybrids are the most common recommendation we make to side sleepers.

The test that matters is simple. Lie on your side for at least three minutes and have someone look at your spine from behind. It should run straight from neck to tailbone. If your hip is sitting noticeably lower than your shoulder line, the bed is too soft. If you feel a distinct pressure ring at the shoulder, it is too firm.

Common side-sleeper problems and what fixes them

• Numb or aching shoulder in the morning: move toward a softer comfort layer, or try a soft-feel mattress rather than a medium.
• Lower back ache despite the softness: the core is not supportive enough. Look at mattresses for back pain relief, which pair a giving surface with zoned lumbar support.
• Overheating in that sunken pocket: deep contouring traps heat, so pair the feel you want with a cooling mattress build.
• Being woken by a partner turning over: pocketed coils and foam both isolate motion well; see mattresses for couples.

Try them before you commit

Pillow choice changes side-sleeping comfort almost as much as the mattress does, so bring your own or try ours while you are on the floor. Our Richmond and Katy showrooms both keep a full range of side-sleeper-friendly models set up, a Sleep Coach can narrow it to two, and financing and local delivery are available on everything on the floor.