Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers (2025)

To be considered the best in class for side sleepers, a mattress has to shine when it comes to pressure relief and support, while achieving high scores across all other categories. The well-rounded Helix Midnight was a tester’s pet thanks to consistent performances in support and pressure relief, earning a 4 and 4.5 respectively, which helped it achieve a 4.2 score overall.

The Helix Midnight boasts soft contouring foams near the top of the mattress that contour around sleepers. It made me feel like I was being wrapped in a warm embrace. However, before you sink too far and find your spine in an awkward position, the robust steel coils catch you and provide aligning support. For bigger side sleepers, like Mattress Clarity’s lead reviewer, Marten, finding a bed that is contouring and supportive can be challenge, but after testing the Helix Midnight, he said, “The Midnight’s top layer of memory foam sank some, but it was still a comfortable match for me.”

After testing hundreds of mattresses, my fellow reviewers and I usually have a good idea how well a mattress will do at relieving pressure. However, we also like to use a pressure map that provides us with thermal images that show where pressure might build up. As for the Helix Midnight, my assessment of its pressure relief was backed up by images that showed mostly blue with a speckling of green, colors that indicate low pressure throughout.

Although this mattress earned its best overall for side sleepers title by being a great pick for a wide variety of body types, heavier sleepers may want the firmer, more supportive feel of the Helix PLUS, which was made with larger folks in mind. If you want even more details on the Midnight, though, read our comprehensive Helix Midnight review.

For a product to be considered a classic, it needs to stand the test of time. Saatva’s flagship model, the Classic, uses high-quality materials, such as a thick, quilted organic-cotton cover on its Euro top and innerspring hybrid construction to give it a luxurious feel that will never go out of style. The coil-on-coil design promotes airflow and gives a more traditional innerspring mattress feel, while the soft top layers remind sleepers of swanky hotel beds. The Saatva Classic’s construction and materials helped it earn a 4.5 in pressure relief and a perfect 5 out of 5 for support. Given that this mattress is also offered in three different firmnesses (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm) to allow shoppers to pinpoint their personal preferences, it is easy to see why this bed earned a top-tier 4.3 overall score.  

Our lead reviewer, Marten, is 6’7 and weighs over 250 pounds. He thinks that average-weight and heavyweight sleepers will love how the Luxury Firm model’s plush upper layers gently contour around them while the solid coil base keeps their hips elevated and their spines aligned. “The Saatva has a classic innerspring feel,” he said. “It’s bouncy and responsive, but the tufted pillow top offers plush cushioning. By not sinking too far into the layers, I felt like I was sleeping ‘on top of’ the mattress rather than ‘inside” it.’ 

On the other side of the scale, lighter side sleepers will likely want to add the Plush Soft model to their cart. The extra plushness will give them added pressure relief around their shoulders, while they still enjoy the stellar support from the coils.

One area where the Saatva Classic falls short is motion isolation. If you sleep with a restless partner, you will likely feel their tossing and turning. If you want a bed that will help you sleep through their shifting, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid. For more information on the Saatva, read our full Saatva Classic review. 

Mattresses with all-foam construction and medium-firm firmness are often excellent choices for side sleepers. Dr. Dasgupta confirmed this by saying, “If you’re looking for a mattress with optimal support and pressure relief, you’ll want one that is rated as medium-firmness on the firmness scale and contouring materials like memory foam.” 

With these points in mind, I selected the Nectar Premier as the best medium-firm mattress for side sleepers. This bed received a 4 in support and a 4.5 in pressure relief. These scores highlight that it excels at relieving pressure around the shoulders and hips while providing plenty of support to keep the spine aligned, vital elements for side sleepers. But this mattress didn’t stop there — it also received a 4 or higher in edge support, cooling, and motion transfer, which helped it earn an impressive 4.3 overall score.

Average-weight testers like me noted that they wanted to melt into this bed because of how the slow-sinking memory foam wrapped around them like a warm tortilla. However, those with a larger stature may need a firmer bed than the Nectar Premier. Marten, our lead reviewer, is 6’7″ and 270 lbs, which means that a bed feels a little differently to him than it does to me.

Although Marten and I agreed that the Nectar Premier makes a solid choice for the best medium-firm bed for side sleepers, he did point out that those in his weight group might need a slightly firmer mattress. He stated that after a few minutes on the bed, his midsection began to sink and this left him with some hip pain. However, Marten also followed that up by saying, “When I was side sleeping, I only felt a bit of pressure on my shoulders and hips, so I can see how this mattress could be good for those living with chronic back pain or arthritis.”  

Fortunately, you don’t have to look far for a bed that will work for bigger bodies — Marten and I recommend the Nectar Classic as our top bed-in-a-box pick for heavier side sleepers. This bed is also great for lightweight and average-weight back sleepers.

Will Nectar Premier give you the most bang for your buck? Learn more in our full Nectar Premier mattress review. Not sold on the Nectar Premier? Check out other best memory foam mattresses.

Sleeping next to someone you love can provide comfort and security. However, couples should pay special attention to a few key mattress features to ensure you both have sweet dreams. You’ll want a bed with solid edge support because a bed that’s secure along the perimeter will allow you to spread out and make full use of your sleep space. Sexually active couples typically prefer a responsive bed, as this makes moving and repositioning easier. And off course, side-sleeping couples should look for a contouring bed that provides pressure relief for both partners. 

The WinkBed was selected as the best mattress for side-sleeping couples because it earned a 5 out of 5 in pressure relief and a solid 4.5 in responsiveness. When these scores are tallied with other performance scores, the WinkBed triumphed with a 4.5 overall score.  

The pressure relief results for the WinkBed blew me away. The pressure map, a series of color-coded thermal images I created from lying on the mattress on a specialized mat, showed mainly blue with only a small area of green when I was on my side. These colors indicate that I felt very little pressure in this position, which backed up my more subjective take that the WinkBed offers outstanding pressure relief for side-sleeping couples. 

Lead reviewer Marten was also a fan of how secure he felt along the perimeter of the bed, saying, “During my tests, the WinkBed exhibited great edge support. This is good news for couples. Both partners will be able to use the full surface area of the mattress.” 

This mattress is one of the most expensive in our roundup. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, consider the Silk & Snow. For a closer look, read our full WinkBed review.

When my husband and I, both combination sleepers who spend the majority of our sleeping time on our sides, were shopping for a new mattress, I asked him for his three “must-haves.” He said, “Cooling, cooling, and cooling.” As the mattress tester and sleep science coach in the relationship, I understood the assignment, and we ultimately selected the Nolah Evolution. 

With the addition of cooling technology like an ArcticTex cover, which helps draw warmth away from the body, proprietary graphite-infused breathable foam, and pocketed coils that prevents heat from getting trapped in the bed, it’s easy to see why the Evolution earned a 5 out of 5 in cooling. It also had a 4 or higher in all performance categories, including a perfect 5 in pressure relief and warranty, which all averages out to a head-of-the-class overall score of 4.5.

I used a thermal temperature gun to measure the bed’s initial surface temperature and then again after I lay on it for five minutes. Even with my added body heat, the Evolution only went up about 10 degrees. More impressively, it only took two minutes for it to return to its original temperature. 

Marten, lead reviewer, said after a nap on this bed, “As someone who sleeps hot, I’m prone to waking up because I’m overheating. Because of this, the Nolah Evolution was perfect for my situation, and nailed the nap test. Its thick coils and high-density foams were supportive enough to handle my body weight, and its cooling cover and foams helped me nap without overheating in our Austin, TX, mattress lab.” 

The Nolah Evolution could improve its motion isolation capabilities. On nights when my husband is restless, I can feel his every movement. If you want a bed with great motion isolation, check out the Leesa Sapira Chill.

Although you don’t have to break the bank to find a quality, durable mattress, if your budget allows for a luxury mattress, why not treat yourself? It’s a bonus if you can snag a luxurious bed for a reasonable price, and that’s exactly what you’ll find with the Nectar Luxe—my pick for the best luxury mattress for side sleepers. This mattress earned a 4.3 overall, thanks to perfect 5/5 cooling, trial period, and warranty scores and a near-perfect durability score.   

The Nectar Luxe’s cooling capabilities were a big factor in helping it clinch a spot here: Its breathable cover really does feel cool to the touch and its gel-infused foam should help with temperature regulation throughout the night . And our temperature gun tests showed that it only heated up by about 8 degrees from its initial surface temperature to the reading I took after lying on the bed for 5 minutes, which we consider stellar cooling.  

The Luxe’s warranty and durability scores also speak to the manufacturer’s belief in the bed’s construction and materials. These high marks helped us pick this as the best luxury mattress because although it costs more than others in this roundup, it should provide an excellent return on investment. Also, with a full-year sleep trial, you’ll also have plenty of time to decide if this is the right mattress for you.

“Nectar is a brand we love here because of its value,” said lead reviewer Marten. “So if you’re wanting to get that luxury mattress experience without breaking the budget, the Luxe is a fantastic choice.” 

We rated the all-foam Luxe a 6 out of 10 for firmness; this is slightly softer than the industry standard of medium-firm, which we put at a 6.5. However, fans of the slow-sinking feel of traditional all-foam beds might not be fans of this bed’s construction. While it will provide side sleepers with contouring, spinal alignment and pressure relief, they won’t experience the deep hug of other all-foam mattresses like the Saatva Contour5. 

You can read the full Nectar Luxe mattress review for more information on our pick for best luxury mattress for side sleepers. 

As a mediocre but dedicated middle-aged CrossFit enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for mattresses that can help my aching muscles and joints recover. The Bear Elite Hybrid gives weekend warriors and committed athletes reason to rejoice. This bed has a supportive hybrid construction that comes in three firmness options, allowing sleepers to fine-tune their personal recovery preferences. 

It also offers an optional Celliant cover, which Bear claims can help with muscle recovery. While we appreciate the cooling features of this cover, we have not independently tested the Celliant cover in regards to muscle recovery. However, we do know that this bed is an MVP when it comes to durability. By earning all-star scores of a 4.5 or higher in materials, support, edge support, and cooling, this bed garnered a 4.5 overall score, which launched it into our top spot for the best mattress for side sleepers and muscle recovery.

When I tested the Bear Elite Hybrid’s “Medium” model, I was taken with how aligned my spine felt due to the built-in lumbar support. This design prevented the kind of sinking and sagging that can lead to back and hip pain or discomfort over time. The pressure map test showed little pressure buildup for most sleepers. 

That said, I think that side sleepers under 130 lbs and those who may need extra recovery in their shoulder should opt for the softest of three firmness options, while heavier sleepers, will likely prefer the firmest bed. After testing this bed, lead reviewer Marten stated, “As a larger side sleeper, it is often hard for me to find a bed that provides both pressure relief and support. I love that this bed is offered in three firmness options. I can choose the firm model, while a petite person could choose the soft, and we would both get what we need.” – 

Again showing that it is a true utility player, the Bear Elite Hybrid’s construction and materials make it a great choice for hot sleepers. However, if you share a bed with a stomach sleeper, even the firmest option for this bed is likely not going to give them enough support. These sleepers will find greater satisfaction in a firmer mattress such as the Helix Dawn. 

If you think the Bear will lead you down the road to better recovery, you can learn more about it by reading our Bear Elite Hybrid review.  

If you are a side sleeper who loves the cozy embrace of a soft bed, you’ll want to check out the adaptable Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe. This bed is offered in three firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm, which adds to its versatility and appeal. We tested the Medium model, and it earned an overall rating of 4 by excelling in support, cooling, and edge support. The Medium firmness Aurora Luxe is a standout for average-weight side sleepers, but lightweight side sleepers or those who prefer a softer feeling will want to add the Soft to their carts.

The Aurora Luxe’s bouncy innerspring coils make the bed feel very responsive. This means that side sleepers who switch to a different position during the night will be able to reposition easily on it. During testing, this bed sprang back to its original shape close to instantaneously after we dropped a weighted ball on it. We were also pleased with how supportive and contouring this plush bed feels. Our lead reviewer, Marten, said, “As I was lying on my side on the Aurora Luxe, I felt good body contouring happening around my hips and shoulders. This should help alleviate pain along those pressure points. But the coils still supported me enough so that I didn’t feel like I was sinking into it too much.” 

With all that said, couples that include a restless sleeper, may want to look elsewhere. Although the Aurora Luxe has great bounce, which is a pro for sex, it lacks motion isolation. This means that your partner’s movements will create a ripple effect that’s  likely to travel to your side of the bed and disturb you. If you want a bed that prevents this from happening, try out the Nectar Luxe. 

If you want to learn more about this soft mattress, you can read our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review.

My fellow mattress reviewer, Marten, is a gentle giant who tucks himself in on his side. As such, he knows how tricky it is to find a suitable mattress for side sleepers over 230 lbs. He told me that heavyweight side sleepers need a bed that has a pressure-relieving comfort layer to contour the shoulders and hips while also providing enough firm support to maintain neutral spinal alignment. After testing hundreds of mattresses, we settled on the Titan Plus Luxe by Brooklyn Bedding. By nabbing a 4 or higher in all our test categories for performance, including a 4.5 in support, the Titan Plus secured a 4.25 overall score. 

This bed was explicitly designed for heavier sleepers, so it’s built with abundant support from a robust coil system. To test the support system, Marten tried this bed out on his  side. He appreciated how the foam comfort layers provided contouring, while the robust pocket coils kept his spine aligned, helping to prevent back and hip pain. Marten only spent a few weeks with the bed, but during this time he paid special attention to its construction. He noted that the high-density foams and sturdy coils will prevent sagging. Therefore, if you are a bigger sleeper who worries that a bed may break down more easily because of your weight, the Titan should be a great pick. 

Since this bed was designed for heavier sleepers, it makes sense that most lightweight folks will find it comfortable. This group of sleepers will probably find that it is too firm, which can be uncomfortable and lead to pressure buildup. If you are a lightweight side sleeper, you should check out the DreamCloud. You can also read our longer Titan Plus Luxe review.

When possible, we like to use multiple testers to understand how a bed feels to different body types. The Leesa Sapira Chill was an across-the-board crowd pleaser, thanks to its ideal balance of cushioning and support. It also showed high performance consistency by earning at least a 4 in all test categories, propelling it to an overall rating of 4.3. 

All this made selecting the Leesa Sapira Chill as our best hybrid for side sleepers an easy decision. Dr. Dasgupta is a fan of this style of bed, saying, “Hybrid mattresses combine soft foam and supportive coils to provide a welcoming feel. These beds often make a comfortable and supportive choice for many sleepers, including those who lay on their side.”

The Sapira Chill has three firmness options; I reviewed the medium-firm model and found its plush pillow top to feel slightly softer than the standard mattress surface, which helped to cushion my body’s pressure points. The pressure map test showed little to no pressure buildup for most sleepers. Petite side sleepers may experience some pressure around the shoulders, but we don’t think this will necessarily be a deal breaker for them. Marten pointed out that, “The surface of the Leesa Hybrid mattress has a balanced foam feel. Thanks to the layers of coils and high-density polyfoam, this is a bouncy and responsive mattress. It’s easy to move around on top of this bed, as you have a really propped-up, ‘floaty’ feeling from the innerspring coils.” Also, as the name suggests, you’ll have the added bonus of a bed that does an excellent job of temperature regulation. 

Although we think this bed is a great investment, we understand that it comes with a higher price tag and may be out of reach for some people. If you want a more affordable hybrid mattress, I suggest the Helix Midnight. For more about this hybrid bed, check out our full Leesa Sapira Chill review.