You’re not the only one who sleeps on their side: Over 10,000 members of our Good Housekeeping tester panel participated in recent polls, and the vast majority (more than 75%) said they sleep on their side. Although the sleep position is well-liked, you should still conduct your homework before buying your new mattress. You must maintain a neutral spinal position to wake up quickly, free of aches or pains in your joints or muscles. Finding a mattress that offers much-needed pressure relief around the hips is crucial if you want to sleep on your side since you’ll want your shoulders to be able to sink into the bed somewhat.
With more than a century of expertise evaluating bedding and home goods, it continuously monitors established brands and cutting-edge developments to identify the finest of the best. In addition to routinely polling our consumer tester group for ongoing, in-depth input on the beds they own, the experts and analysts continually analyze everything from materials and construction to corporate policies and customer service, searching the market for top contenders. It is then worked directly with consumer testers, including the Slumber Search team, to test the best candidates in their homes and gather honest feedback on the complete user experience, from initial setup to long-term usage.
- Allswell Luxe Hybrid
This inexpensive bed outscored more expensive ones that were twice as expensive if you’re seeking the most excellent mattress under $1,000. Despite having a medium hardness rating overall, the top layers of foam give it a velvety feel, which allows it to contour to your pressure spots as you sleep on your side. The company sells several versions, some more affordable than others, but this one delivers the most excellent value for money and has the softest feel for cradling comfort.
A 2-inch memory foam layer for pressure relief and a 1-inch high-density foam layer for support are covered with a quilted surface. Coils make up the bottom layer, adding further stability and preventing the foam from sinking in too far.
- Saatva Classic Mattress
Saatva is a well-known direct-to-consumer business that sells premium mattresses online at lower costs. Its most popular type, the Classic Mattress, is offered in three different firmness levels. The Plush Soft version employs softer foams for greater flexibility to cradle your body, making it perfect for side sleepers. Luxury Firm is a beautiful option if you don’t want to go too soft. Along with a 365-night trial period to test the mattress at home to see if you like it, it includes free delivery, setup, and old mattress removal.
In contrast to most foam mattresses you usually get online, this mattress is constructed like a traditional, luxurious innerspring mattress—a layer of pillowtop material and foam for pressure relief and individual steel coils for support and airflow.
- Avocado Green Mattress
This mattress demonstrates that staying green does not mean sacrificing performance. It layers coils with robust, organic latex for a bouncing sensation that conforms to your body without sinking in. The model is on the stiffer side by itself, but when the integrated pillowtop option—made of velvety organic latex—is added, it becomes more accommodating for side sleepers. Additionally, the company has one of the most lenient returns policies we’ve come across: you may request a refund up to a full year after the mattress is delivered.
As a result of its usage of wool, cotton, and latex (a natural foam from the rubber tree) and certification as organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS), you may be sure that everything in it is manufacturing process follows strict guidelines.
- Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
This all-foam bed-in-a-box costs little and comes quickly if you rely on Amazon for quick and free shipping. It has a medium-firm grade overall (slightly firmer than medium), making it a great option if you want to sleep on your side but don’t want anything incredibly soft.
The basic design has two layers of foam: a strong layer for support on the bottom and a softer one for pressure release on top.
- Nolah Original 10″
Are they searching for a mattress that won’t worsen your back pain? Doctors frequently suggest mattresses with medium firmness created with pressure-relieving material, such as memory foam, for cradling comfort and support for neutral spinal alignment. This Nolah choice ticks all the right boxes, and both our panelists and testers raved about how it relieved their discomfort and hip and lower back stiffness.
Three layers of foam are used in the straightforward yet effective mattress: a comfort layer on top to relieve pressure from your joints, a sturdy support layer, and a high-density foundation. You may also choose the “hybrid” version, which is made entirely of foam but has cutouts that mimic the responsiveness of coils.
- Purple Mattress
Purple employs a unique grid-shaped elastic material for a pressure-relieving mattress that doesn’t feel too fluffy. This material feels comforting but is still hard and has good breathability. In other words, you may side sleep comfortably without compromising support or fearing that you’ll quickly get too hot at night since you have the pressure relief you need. Couples will love it because of the brand’s patented GelFlex Grid, which gives excellent motion isolation in addition to additional ventilation.
There are two foam layers underneath the top layer of the grid. This is Purple’s entry-level model, but upgrades are available for more foam layers or a hybrid that includes coils below.
Conclusion
Because they provide pressure relief for optimal alignment, memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are the best options for side sleepers because innerspring mattresses can’t conform to pressure points. Make sure there is some comfort for your hips and shoulders if you enjoy the springy feel of an innerspring mattress, whether it’s a pillow top or a layer of memory foam or latex close to the surface. You may add a mattress topper for an additional layer of pressure reduction.
