Most adults sleep on their sides at least some of the time, and you'll find plenty of mattresses marketed as ideal for side sleeping. The best options effectively relieve pressure on your arm and shoulder by letting you sink in, without sacrificing support, so your spine stays comfortably aligned. If you're lighter, you'll want a mattress with soft, conforming upper layers, while heavier individuals, who will compress a mattress more, often get a better balance of support and pressure relief from a Medium or Medium-Firm mattress. Hybrid and all-foam mattresses can both work for side sleepers; if you're a combination sleeper and often change sleeping positions, you may prefer a bouncy hybrid mattress for ease of movement, while couples looking for better motion isolation may prefer an all-foam model.
We've tested over 70 mattresses, and below are our recommendations for the best mattresses for side sleepers. Our picks include options for people in a range of weight categories, and we've also considered other important aspects like cooling to help you sleep comfortably, motion dissipation so you can sleep peacefully with a partner, and longevity so your mattress maintains its performance for as long as possible.
For a wider view of the mattress market, see our recommendations for the best mattresses or the best King-size mattresses. If you sleep hot, you may want to consider one of the best cooling mattresses.
We've tested over 55 mattresses. We purchase each unit independently from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free of manufacturer influence. Each mattress undergoes the same tests to measure objective data on characteristics like firmness, cooling, and motion isolation, so you can easily compare results. Since we buy all our mattresses, we can tear them down layer by layer and isolate the mechanical properties of every component: quilted tops, foams, coils, and any special materials.
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Best Mattress For Side Sleepers
Light Weight7.6Average Weight8.4Heavy Weight8.9Side Sleeping8.3Longevity5.3Motion Dissipation8.5Cooling8.9Responsiveness5.0See all our test resultsFirmness Level:Medium (47 Pa/mm)The Casper Snow is the best mattress for side sleeping that we've tested. This very versatile Medium mattress is ideal for side-sleeping couples, since it's a comfortable option regardless of your weight and offers excellent motion isolation. The mattress's hugging memory foam layers let you sink in, relieving pressure on your arm and shoulder, while its impressive support prevents your hips from sinking and makes it suitable for combination sleepers as well.
Pick if: You're a side sleeper in any weight category, a hot sleeper, or sleep with a partner.
Skip if: Durability or edge support is a priority.We found that most smaller movements aren't noticeable, and bigger movements, like someone getting into bed, are mostly felt near the source, not all over the mattress, and dissipate quickly. This mattress is also equipped with cooling features, including aluminum graphite bands that were visible when we cut open the mattress. This helps it dissipate heat efficiently when you first get into bed and throughout the night, making it a great choice for hot sleepers. However, its edge support isn't very good. The edges compress easily, so if you sleep with a partner and want to maximize comfortable sleeping space, you might want to size up. Unfortunately, it also uses lower-quality memory foam for its comfort layers, so it'll be more prone to forming impressions than mattresses that use higher-quality foam.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Mattress For Side Sleepers
Light Weight7.1Average Weight8.5Heavy Weight8.9Side Sleeping8.2Longevity6.8Motion Dissipation8.2Cooling8.2Responsiveness8.2See all our test resultsFirmness Level:Medium (44 Pa/mm)The Helix Midnight Luxe 2025 is a less expensive option you might prefer if you want a more responsive mattress that feels easier to move around on. Although it's not as comfortable for lighter side sleepers as the Casper Snow, its plush upper layers provide good pressure relief for average-weight and heavier side sleepers. It's also much more responsive, making it a better option if you feel constricted by enveloping memory foam. It's not as supportive as the previous pick, but its decent support for most people makes it suitable for combination sleepers as well.
Pick if: You're an average-weight or heavier side sleeper and prefer a responsive feel for ease of movement.
Skip if: You're a lighter side sleeper who wants maximum pressure relief.This hybrid mattress's sides are reinforced with firmer coils and are difficult to compress, allowing you to comfortably sit or sleep near the edge of the bed, and increasing the comfortable sleeping space for couples. However, while its motion isolation is good, larger movements can make the mattress bounce or wobble. As a result, it may not be for you if you sleep with a partner who tosses and turns in their sleep, and you're easily awoken. Finally, while it includes some good-quality foam, the lower-quality foam in the quilted layer may still lead to permanent indentations sooner than mattresses with high-quality, dense foams.
This mattress only comes in one firmness level, but if you want more support, you have the option of adding an extra layer of foam in the middle of the mattress, which is intended to add more support. If you like springy, responsive mattresses, you might also be interested in the best hybrid mattresses.
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Best Mid-Range Mattress For Side Sleepers
Light Weight7.0Average Weight8.2Heavy Weight8.5Side Sleeping7.9Longevity6.3Motion Dissipation9.0Cooling8.4Responsiveness8.7See all our test resultsFirmness Level:Medium (46 Pa/mm)The Tuft and Needle Mint is an excellent mid-range option if you sleep with a partner and motion isolation is a priority. While it's not as comfortable as the Helix Midnight Luxe 2025 for lighter side sleepers, its incredible motion isolation and versatility make it a great option for couples.
Pick if: You're an average-weight or heavier side sleeper, or sleep lightly and want strong motion isolation.
Skip if: You're a lighter side sleeper.This Medium all-foam mattress's fantastic motion isolation prevents you from feeling most movements. While you'll feel some bigger movements, like your partner rolling over, motion stays localized, so it's not felt all over the mattress, and it dissipates extremely quickly, so the mattress never wobbles or bounces. It's also very versatile, with enough pressure relief and support for sleepers in the average-weight category and above, so it's likely to suit both you and your partner. The sleeping surface is also very responsive, so you won't feel tightly hugged. However, it's not a very bouncy mattress, which can make moving around in your sleep feel more effortful. We found that it dissipates heat efficiently when you first get into bed and all night, making it a great option for hot sleepers. Despite the more affordable price, it's also quite a durable mattress, since the upper comfort and support layers are made of good-quality foam, which will help it resist sagging for longer.
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Best Budget Mattress For Side Sleepers
Light Weight7.2Average Weight8.4Heavy Weight8.7Side Sleeping8.1Longevity6.7Motion Dissipation9.4Cooling8.1Responsiveness7.7See all our test resultsFirmness Level:Medium-Plush (39 Pa/mm)The Silk & Snow Mattress is a great budget-friendly option for side sleeping. This all-foam bed-in-a-box has a softer feel and better overall body conformity than the Tuft and Needle Mint, which helps make it a great, affordable option for average-weight and especially lighter side sleepers. However, it's a noticeably unbouncy mattress, which makes it feel more difficult to move around on.
Pick if: You're a lighter or average-weight side sleeper and want maximum pressure relief.
Skip if: You're a heavier side sleeper and want good support, or edge support is a priority.Our testing found that its memory foam upper comfort layer allows significant sinking, but it isn't very contouring, which helps prevent you from feeling constricted. Despite its all-foam design, it offers impressive cooling. Its superb motion isolation performance makes it well-suited for sleeping with a partner, since you won't feel most movements. It's also reasonably durable, since each layer is made of dense, good-quality foam. However, its edge support is just okay, so it's not ideal if you want a solid surface for getting in and out of bed. While it offers strong pressure relief for heavier individuals, it's not as supportive as the Tuft and Needle for people in that weight category. We tested the Plush variant, but heavier side sleepers may get more support from the Medium or Firm version.
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Best Cheap Mattress For Side Sleepers
Light Weight4.9Average Weight7.1Heavy Weight8.1Side Sleeping6.7Longevity6.0Motion Dissipation8.8Cooling8.3Responsiveness8.1See all our test resultsFirmness Level:Medium-Firm (54 Pa/mm)The Allswell Hybrid is worth considering if you want to spend as little as possible on a mattress that performs well overall, especially if you're in the heavier weight category and want something more supportive than the Silk & Snow Mattress. With a Medium-Firm feel, it doesn't let you sink in as much, and it's not as suitable for lighter side sleepers as the previous pick, but its better support makes it a more comfortable option for heavier individuals.
Pick if: You're a heavier side sleeper looking for a cheap mattress.
Skip if: You're a lighter side sleeper and want an enveloping mattress, or durability is a priority.This mattress's somewhat firm comfort layers aren't very enveloping, but memory foam adds contouring and helps with pressure relief. It's bouncy and responsive, so you don't feel stuck in place, and it offers good all-round performance, with impressive cooling and excellent motion dissipation. Firmer coils along the sides help give it very sturdy edges, so you can comfortably sleep near the side of the bed. However, it contains only one layer of good-quality foam, which is more prone to forming permanent impressions than more durable materials.
For other less expensive mattress options, check out the best affordable mattresses.
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Best Mattress For Lighter Side Sleepers
Light Weight8.0Average Weight8.9Heavy Weight9.1Side Sleeping8.7Longevity7.0Motion Dissipation7.7Cooling7.4Responsiveness6.8See all our test resultsFirmness Level:Medium-Plush (37 Pa/mm)If you're a lighter person and find most mattresses put uncomfortable pressure on your arm and shoulder, you might prefer the Helix Midnight Elite. While our top pick, the Casper Snow, offers good performance for lighter people, its enveloping memory foam feel isn't for everyone. By contrast, the Helix is a Medium-Plush hybrid mattress that offers impressive body conformity for people in the lighter weight category without making you feel stuck, even if it isn't the most responsive or bouncy.
Pick if: You're a lighter side sleeper and want the best pressure relief.
Skip if: You're a hot sleeper, or you're easily disturbed by movement and want very strong motion isolation.You'll sink deeply into its comfort layers, which help relieve pressure, and still be able to shift around throughout the night. Its adequate support helps keep your hips from sinking and makes it suitable for occasional back and stomach sleeping. This mattress includes a mix of good and high-quality foam, which will help it resist forming impressions and maintain its performance for longer. It has good motion isolation. You may feel some smaller movements, like your pet jumping into bed, but motion is mostly felt briefly and near the source, so it's not as likely to wake you. The mattress's good edge support helps make the sleeping surface feel a little bigger. Also, it's only decently cooling. Our testers found that it feels a bit stuffy when you first get into bed, and while it dissipates heat more efficiently over several hours, it's not ideal for hot sleepers.
Notable Mentions
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DreamCloud Premier Hybrid:
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid is a budget-friendly Medium-Plush mattress well-suited for average-weight and heavier side sleepers. It's a good alternative to the Silk & Snow Mattress if you want something bouncier, but its motion isolation isn't quite as good, and it's not as durable. It's also not as well-suited for lighter side sleepers.
See our review -
Nolah Evolution:
The Nolah Evolution is a mid-range hybrid mattress with excellent pressure relief for average-weight and heavier side sleepers. Its highly contouring sleeping surface gives it a more enveloping feel than the Tuft and Needle Mint, but it's not as suitable for lighter side sleepers and offers worse support for almost everyone.
See our review -
Saatva Classic (Plush Soft):
The Saatva Classic (Plush Soft) is a Medium-Plush hybrid mattress with a good performance for lighter side sleepers. Although it doesn't offer as much pressure relief as the Helix Midnight Elite, its more responsive feel makes it easier to move around on, and it's more suitable for hot sleepers. However, its motion isolation is much worse, and it uses lower-density foam.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Sep 21, 2026 at 03:42 pm:
We checked that the products are available and represent the best recommendations, and added an FAQ section.
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Aug 07, 2026 at 11:04 am:
We rearranged the article to include price-based recommendations and focus on Medium mattresses that are comfortable for most side sleepers. We replaced the Saatva Classic (Plush Soft) with the Helix Midnight Elite as the 'Best Mattress For Lighter Side Sleepers' because it offers better pressure relief for people in that weight category.
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Jun 25, 2026 at 03:00 pm:
We added the Saatva Classic (Plush Soft) as the best option for lighter side sleepers. We also made the Helix Midnight Luxe 2025 our top pick and moved the Casper Snow to the 'Best Memory Foam' category since its hugging feel isn't for everyone.
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May 21, 2026 at 01:14 pm:
We checked that our picks still represent the best options and that the products are available.
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Apr 14, 2026 at 12:56 pm:
In the budget category, we replaced the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid with the Silk and Snow Mattress, which offers better motion isolation, cooling, and durability. We also added the Nolah Evolution, Serta Perfect Sleeper Innerspring, and DreamCloud Premier Hybrid to the Notable Mentions.
FAQs
Is a memory foam or hybrid design better for side sleepers?
Memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses can both be good options for side sleepers. Hybrid mattresses that combine plush comfort foam with firmer support coils are usually bouncier and more responsive, so you might want a hybrid mattress if you move around a lot in your sleep or just don't want to feel stuck in place. On the other hand, if you're easily disturbed by movements, memory foam mattresses can offer very strong motion isolation.
How firm should a mattress be for a side sleeper at different body weights?
Generally, Medium mattresses are well-suited for average-weight side sleepers. If you're in the lighter weight category, a Medium-Plush or Plush option might offer more pressure relief without sacrificing support. If you're a heavier individual, you might find that a Medium-Firm option provides enough pressure relief while making you feel more supported.
It's worth noting that mattresses with the same firmness level can perform quite differently for side sleeping. You can look at our Body Conformity results for an idea of how deeply you'll sink into a mattress's upper layers when you sleep on your side.
What should side-and-back combination sleepers prioritize?
If you alternate between sleeping on your back and side, you'll want a mattress that you can sink into enough for comfortable side sleeping, without sacrificing good support for spinal alignment when you sleep on your back. You can look for a mattress with a score of at least 7.5 for your weight category for both sleeping positions. People who move around a lot as they sleep might also prioritize a bouncy, responsive mattress that feels easy to move around on.
All Reviews
The recommendations above are what we think currently represent the best mattresses for most side sleepers. We factor in performance, price, availability, and feedback from our visitors. For more information on how we evaluate each mattress's performance for different weights and sleeping positions, see our Test Bench 1.1 Changelog.
Of course, the best mattress for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you'd like more options to consider, here's a list of all our mattress reviews so you can find the right fit.