Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers 2024 | Tested By Our Sleep Experts

As the preferred sleeping position for the majority of adults, sleeping on your side requires a specific set of mattress criteria to achieve the best rest possible. To find the best mattresses for side sleepers, our team tested over 240 mattresses to identify the beds that scored highest in pressure relief and spine alignment. After reviewing all of our contenders, we named the Helix Midnight Luxe the best mattress for side sleepers overall because its soft foams and supportive coil base make it a favorite amongst our side-sleeping team.

However, if you’re searching for something else—say a memory foam mattress or a bed that costs less than $500—we have plenty of other options, too. Below, see all 11 of our mattress recommendations for side sleepers, tested and reviewed by our mattress editors. For more side-sleeper favorites, check out our guides to the best pillows for side sleepers and the best mattress toppers for side sleepers.

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Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Medium to medium-firm (5 to 6) | Height: 13.5 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years

Buy if: You’re a back or side sleeper who tends to sleep hot, or sleep with a partner.

Skip if: You spend most of your night on your stomach.

Pros:

• Targeted support helps ease low back pain
• Excellent motion isolation; good choice for couples
• Dense coil system keeps the spine in alignment

Cons:

• 100-night trial period isn’t as long as others

An upgrade from the Helix Midnight mattress, the Midnight Luxe is thicker, cooler and more layered than its base model. Specifically, it hits the medium to medium-firm sweet spot that works for most people while offering zoned lumbar support to help take pressure off the lower back. It’s also constructed with six layers including a dense 1,000-coil system and cushy surface foams that cradle joints to ease pain points. The finishing touch is the breathable cooling cover that doesn’t trap heat, and toasty sleepers can add on the GlacioTex Cooling Cover ($265) for more chilling power. Note that the Luxe models are a bit more of an investment than the regular ones, but they come with a generous 15-year warranty (as opposed to 10 years for the standard models).

What our testers say: “When testing the Helix Midnight Luxe, I found it to be super cushiony, thanks to its pillow top and coil base,” says Chapman. “I think back and side sleepers should really like the contouring and sinkage the Midnight Luxe offers, and couples could enjoy its cooling and motion isolating abilities. It also tested well for edge support, so you can sit or sleep near the edge of the bed without feeling like you’re going to fall off.”

Expert tip: The cooling cover upgrade is worth it if night sweats and high temps commonly disturb your sleep.

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Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Plush (4 to 5), luxury firm (6 to 7) and firm (7 to 8) | Height: 15 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime

Buy if: You want a hotel-like mattress that you can customize to your comfort preferences.

Skip if: You prefer a memory foam feel.

Pros:

• Great pressure relief for the hips and shoulders
• Cooling; works well for hot sleepers
• Sturdy edge support

Cons:

• 15 inches tall; may not fit your current sheets if they don’t have deep pockets

Hybrid mattresses are a natural choice for many side sleepers because they offer the right combo of support and pressure relief, and this is especially true of the Nolah Evolution 15. The mattress combines layers of plush, soft memory foam with thicker, denser foams, all of which sit atop an 8-inch base of individually wrapped coils. The result? A bed that provides targeted back support and deep pressure relief for the hips and shoulders.

The Nolah Evolution 15 comes in three firmness levels—plush, luxury firm and firm—and the brand says the plush is best for strict side sleepers.

What our testers say: “This bed feels like something I’d come across in a five-star hotel—it offers plush support that feels great. In my testing, I found it to have solid edge support, so you can sprawl out and use the whole surface of the bed. Since it’s offered in multiple firmness levels, I think most people should find a model that works for their needs,” says Chapman.

Expert tip: We recommend the plush and luxury firm models for most side sleepers. If you’re more of a combination back and side sleeper, the luxury firm option is likely a better fit, while lightweight side sleepers may prefer the plush version.

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Type: Memory foam | Brand firmness rating: Medium-firm (6.5) | Height: 14 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime

Buy if: You’re a side or back sleeper searching for pressure relief.

Skip if: You mainly sleep on your stomach.

Pros:

• Classic memory foam feel
• Comfortable yet supportive; eases back and joint pain
• Good at limiting motion transfer

Cons:

• Too soft for most combination side and stomach sleepers

The Nectar Luxe Memory Foam Mattress combines medium-soft to medium support with foam-contouring coziness, making it one of our favorite memory foam mattresses. A firm bottom layer ensures a stable base, while the upper layers cradle your body and offer plenty of pressure relief for the hips and shoulders. And while some types of foam can trap heat, the Luxe is topped with a moisture-wicking cooling cover, which promotes temperature regulation. Nectar also offers an impressive 365-day trial period, so you can test it at home throughout every season. If you elect to keep it, your purchase is backed by an industry-leading “forever warranty.”

What our testers say: “The Nectar Luxe Memory Foam Mattress has cushy upper foams that conform nicely to your hip and shoulders, while lower high-density foams keep you supported,” says Chapman. “You don’t feel like you’re going to sink through this mattress and get stuck. Instead, it promotes a healthy sleep posture and offers a great balance of support and comfort. With solid edge support and great motion isolation, we also think it’s an excellent fit for couples.”

Expert tip: For sleepers over 230 pounds, we recommend the hybrid model—it’s worth the extra splurge.

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Type: Memory foam | Brand firmness rating: Medium-firm (5 to 7) | Height: 10 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years

Buy if: You want the benefits of foam but also like some bounce, and you weigh under 230 pounds.

Skip if: You’re looking for reinforced edge support.

Pros:

• Medium feel accommodates all sleeping positions
• Great motion isolation; limits the movement you feel when your partner gets up or changes positions

Cons:

• Not quite as supportive as a hybrid option for heavier sleepers

Leesa’s mattress is crafted entirely from foam for a cozy-yet-supportive feel. (That said, it’s firmer than other picks on this list, so if you’re set on getting a softer bed, you may want to consider another contender.) Although it’s all foam, the mattress is made with four different layers to offer the balance of support and comfort that side sleepers crave. Furthermore, the absence of coils means it’s less springy than traditional mattresses, so it excels at minimizing motion transfer—a huge plus for couples. On that note, if you share your bed and your partner isn’t a side sleeper, that’s okay; this pick is medium-firm and can provide pressure relief for all sleeping positions. And if you sleep warm, the Leesa mattress has a top layer of airy foam that stays cool while providing responsive contouring, and its gray twill cover is refreshingly breathable.

What our testers say: “The Leesa impressed me in my testing because it’s an all-foam bed that offers a bouncy, responsive feel, which isn’t super common,” says Chapman. “I felt nice contouring on this bed but didn’t feel stuck. I think this makes it a great fit for couples, as long as they like their bed to have more of a doughy, soft feel.”

Expert tip: Not sure which bed to pick? The Leesa Original is a safe pick for anyone who wants a budget-friendly, average yet comfortable mattress.

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Type: Innerspring | Brand firmness rating: Plush soft (3), luxury firm (5 to 7) and firm (8) | Height: 11.5 or 14.5 inches | Shipping: Complimentary white-glove delivery (arrives flat) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime

Buy if: You’re a side combination sleeper in need of additional support.

Skip if: You’re a lightweight side sleeper.

Pros:

• Supportive dual-coil system helps keep the spine aligned
• Top-notch temperature regulation; good for hot sleepers
• Plush soft version comes with extra padding for side sleeping

Cons:

• Costs $99 to return

Side sleepers with back pain should consider the Saatva Classic Mattress for its incredibly supportive dual-coil system. The Saatva Classic was built with spine alignment in mind, hence its pocketed coil layer, which sits above a second layer of thick steel coils. The result? Superb support and durability. White-glove delivery—which includes free mattress removal—makes setup a breeze.

What our testers say: “I found the Saatva to have a very classic, luxurious innerspring feel. I felt very lifted on top of the mattress, while the Euro top and memory foam cushioned my joints,” says Chapman. “The coil-on-coil design also does a great job promoting airflow through the bed. I love that this bed comes in three different firmnesses, but I did find each model to be slightly firmer than advertised.”

Expert tip: Expect your Saatva Classic to be one to two notches firmer than the brand claims each level is. For side sleepers who like a softer feel to their mattress, the plush offering is your best bet.

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Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Soft (3), medium (5) and firm (7) | Height: 12.25 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years

Buy if: You want a good value bed that can accommodate your sleeping position.

Skip if: You want a memory foam bed with a contouring feel.

Pros:

• Bouncy and buoyant feel
• Quilted top provides extra cushioning
• Accommodating for all body types

Cons:

• The soft version of this bed is likely too plush for combination side and stomach sleepers

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a hybrid mattress that contains dense layers of memory foam and nearly 800 individually wrapped coils. It comes in soft, medium and firm options. Side sleepers who like to feel cradled by their mattress should enjoy the plush quilted top and coil layer, which provides just enough pushback to make transitions easy and painless. While some hybrid mattresses can cost up to $2,000 for a queen size, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is often on sale for less than $1,000—which is one of the reasons it’s also featured in our best hybrid mattresses guide.

What our testers say: “Overall, I think the Signature Hybrid is a great value mattress. Not only does it come in different firmnesses, but I also found it to be responsive, cooling and supportive in my testing,” says Chapman. “It may not have all the bells and whistles some of the more luxurious models have, but it gets the job done by being comfy and supportive.” Dillon says, “I own the Signature Hybrid model, and it’s one of my favorite online mattresses. It has a light and airy feel that you don’t sink into, but I immediately feel relief against my hips and profile when I sleep on my side. It also has great edge support—a plus if you sleep with a significant other.”

Expert tip: We recommend the soft model for side sleepers. Adding the pillow top is an affordable way to make it feel a bit more luxurious.

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Type: Hybrid (Purple grid) | Brand firmness rating: Soft or firm | Height: 13 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years

Buy if: You live with back pain, joint pain and are open to a unique (but widely loved) feel.

Skip if: You prefer a traditional mattress feel.

Pros:

• Plush and bouncy feel
• Extra pressure relief for side and heavy sleepers
• Good for hot sleepers, thanks to the Purple grid

Cons:

• Expensive; one of the priciest mattresses on our list

This mattress from Purple provides excellent pressure relief, thanks to the brand’s proprietary GelFlex Grid, a bouncy layer that looks a little bit like a silicone ice cube tray and gives Purple mattresses their signature feel. The RestorePremier Hybrid also has foam-topped coils, for additional pressure relief. The grid and coils respond quickly to movement, to give this mattress a more buoyant feel than traditional memory foam.

A number of cooling technologies are worked into different parts of the mattress, including a moisture-wicking finish on the cover and Coolflex coils that allow for airflow around the mattress’ base. Additionally, the GelFlex material won’t retain heat, which helps you stay cool all night long.

What our testers say: “I found this bed to have a really nontraditional feel that I think a lot of people could like. I tested the soft model and found it to have a squishy, almost waterbed-like feel—but with added support. I also found it to isolate motion really well in my testing, which is nice for couples. And it’s a great cooling pick,” says Chapman.

Expert tip: Side sleepers should consider the soft model. If you’re not sure about Purple’s unique comfort material, you can buy a sample piece called the Purple Squishy for $3 to get a feel for it.

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Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Plush (4) | Height: 13 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 25 years

Buy if: You’re eco-conscious and looking for a supportive bed that can keep you cool at night.

Skip if: You aren’t willing to pay extra for sustainability.

Pros:

• Bouncy and responsive feel
• Breathable; good for hot sleepers
• Eco-friendly; made from natural materials

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly; over $2,000 for a queen

The Avocado Green Mattress is almost as green as you can get without sleeping on a pile of grass. It’s a latex hybrid made with GOLS-certified organic latex and other sustainable materials including organic cotton and organic wool. The bed’s upcycled pocketed coil layer is zoned into seven sections to provide targeted pressure relief under your pressure points and enhanced support under your back. Latex foam is known for being on the firmer end of the spectrum, but Avocado added a plush mattress option that appeals to people seeking added pressure relief, like side and combination sleepers. It also boasts a list of impressive certifications, from Climate Neutral to Made Safe, and is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.

What our testers say: “The Avocado Green Mattress in the pillow top model has a softer feel that I found cushioned my pressure points nicely while side sleeping,” says Chapman. “It also tested great for responsiveness and is quite bouncy (thanks to that latex), so it’s a nice pick for back and combination sleepers too.”

Expert tip: If you want even more plushness or sleep only on your side, you should upgrade to the box top model.

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Type: Memory foam | Brand firmness rating: Soft or firm | Height: 13 inches | Shipping: Free white-glove delivery (arrives flat) | Trial: 90 nights | Warranty: 10 years

Buy if: You’re a hot sleeper, live with joint pain or share your bed with a partner.

Skip if: You’re a combination sleeper who switches positions often.

Pros:

• Cool-to-the-touch cover keeps you comfortable when you first lay down
• Made to be 10 degrees cooler than other Tempur-Pedic mattresses
• Excels at pressure relief for most side sleepers

Cons:

• Expensive; the priciest option on this list

Tempur-Pedic is a big name in luxury sleep, thanks to the performance and durability of its products. The Tempur-LuxeBreeze is the brand’s most cooling model, and it’s on our list of the best cooling mattresses you can buy. Like many top side sleeper mattresses, this one comes with a multitude of layers—four, to be exact—including foams that relieve pressure with plush softness and contouring support. (In fact, the NASA-developed materials may be the closest you come to experiencing zero gravity). The brand says the Tempur-LuxeBreeze feels a full 10 degrees cooler than other Tempur-Pedic mattresses, thanks to a combination of ventilation and heat-absorbing materials. If that seems too chilly for you, the ProBreeze (pictured), which sleeps 5 degrees cooler, should do the trick. Both are available in either all-foam or hybrid options.

What our testers say: “I don’t regularly associate all-foam beds with being cooling, but I found the Tempur-LuxeBreeze really packs a cooling punch,” says Chapman. “The cover is literally cool to the touch, and it has a ton of cooling tech built in. I really liked the slow, deep sinkage I felt on this bed while side sleeping. I also think a lot of couples could like this bed since it tested great for motion isolation.”

Expert tip: Heavy side sleepers over 230 pounds should consider the hybrid option for increased support and bounce.

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Type: Copper-gel memory foam | Brand firmness rating: Soft (4) and firm (7) | Height: 10.5 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime

Buy if: You’re a side sleeper under 230 pounds who wants two firmness options to pick from.

Skip if: You’re a heavyweight sleeper in need of extra support.

Pros:

• Reversible with two firmness levels in one mattress
• Soft side contours to the body and relieves pressure on joints

Cons:

• Both sides may be too soft for heavyweight sleepers

This mattress gives you a two-for-one deal by providing two firmness levels—soft and firm—in one mattress. For side sleepers with hip pain, the soft side is your best bet. This side is more forgiving and envelops your body in layers of cushioning memory foam. Since your hips and shoulders bear the brunt of your weight as a side sleeper, this is exactly the type of support these pressure points need.

And although the Layla is made entirely of memory foam, its layers are infused with copper and gel—two materials that help carry heat from the body.

What our testers say: “I was really impressed by how versatile Layla made this mattress to be,” says Chapman. “Its soft side offers soft sinkage, while the firm side keeps you more lifted with cushiony support. Although I didn’t find it to be the most cooling mattress (which is typical of an all-foam bed), I do think it’s more cooling than a lot of its foam competitors, thanks to the copper infusions in its materials.”

Expert tip: If you dislike the “stuck” feel of memory foam, you may really enjoy the light, airy and responsive profile of the Layla.

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Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Medium-firm | Height: 12 inches | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years

Buy if: You want a memory foam feel with more bounce.

Skip if: You’re under 150 pounds and prefer an ultra-soft bed.

Pros:

• Affordable; under $500 for a queen
• Good for all body types because of its hybrid construction

Cons:

• Some customers say it lost its shape within a few months

If you’re searching for a quality mattress under $500 for a queen, the Allswell Luxe hybrid is your best bet. This bed pairs several layers of responsive memory foam with a base of individually wrapped coils to create just the right balance of comfort and support. Speaking of which, the topmost memory foam layer is 2 inches thick and infused with copper for deep pressure relief and enhanced breathability. This Walmart-owned brand also offers a 90-day trial period and a 10-year limited warranty, so you can test it out for three months at home.

What our testers say: “For a mattress that retails under $500, it’s truly a great value. It’s one of the nicest beds from Allswell, but you aren’t paying a top-tier price,” says Dillon. “My partner slept on an Allswell for several years, and when we co-slept it was good at isolation motion because of its memory foam comfort layers. It has more of a neutralized memory foam feel that’s bouncier than the traditional material and a balanced profile that lands somewhere around a medium-firm. This means it offers up ample pressure relief for side sleepers while also feeling supportive—no ‘sink in’ feel here.”

Expert tip: It’s a good pick for combination sleepers who move around often because of its bounce.

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The Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers Compared

Side sleepers need a mattress that’s soft and pressure-relieving to cushion the shoulders and hips. That said, the right mattress for you depends on other key factors like your body type, budget and sleep preferences. We compare our top mattresses for side sleepers below to see how they stack up.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted sleep team has published a large library of mattress and sleep guides, including articles that cater every sleep need. We’ve covered every other sleep position from mattresses for stomach sleepers to back sleepers as well as those who are a combination of all three.

• The recommendations and guidance provided in this story is overseen by sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon. As certified sleep science coaches and prolific mattress testers, they’ve spent a combined eight years tossing and turning on over 240 mattresses, including the beds listed above.
• In addition to testing dozens of side-sleeper mattresses, we consulted the side sleepers on our team for their favorite mattresses. Our pick for the best mattress for side sleepers overall, the Helix Midnight Luxe, is a favorite among many of our team members.
• We keep a pulse on the mattress industry in order to provide the best and most accurate information possible. Chapman and Dillon recently visited Arizona to tour the 3Z mattress facility, where Helix, Brooklyn Bedding and Bear mattresses are made, to get an inside look at the manufacturing process.
• This story was updated most recently in October 2024 by mattress updates writer Alexandra Garrett to add a comparison chart of our top mattress picks, as well as a guide to mattress accessories for side sleepers. Garrett also has experience testing mattresses, including reviewing the Helix Midnight Luxe, our choice for the best mattress for side sleepers overall.

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How We Tested The Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers

To determine which beds made the cut for side sleepers, our testers sought out reputable brands and compared aspects of their best-selling models, as well as newly released mattresses from those brands. Our editors and writers put over 240 mattresses to the test over the last eight years, evaluating each bed’s performance across key features for side sleepers, like pressure relief, spine alignment and firmness.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief measures how well a mattress cushions and alleviates pressure from areas like the hips and shoulders, which bear the brunt of a sleeper’s weight when side-sleeping. To test whether a mattress provides adequate pressure relief for side sleepers, we lie on our side and document where we feel pressure buildup and where we feel relief. Because it’s common for a mattress to provide more pressure relief for the hips over the shoulders, we pay close attention to each individual section of the body during testing.

Support And Spine Alignment

Support refers to the weight capacity and durability of a mattress, as well as how well it helps you maintain a healthy spine alignment. When determining a mattress’s support, we consider its construction, including its comfort layers and base. For side-sleeping, we also test to see whether our hips and shoulders sink too far into the mattress, which signals poor support and improper spine alignment.

Firmness

Most side sleepers do best with a mattress that falls between soft and medium-firm. When compiling this list, we made sure to check that each mattress we recommend falls within that range by comparing the brand’s firmness rating and our own experience of each bed’s firmness level during testing. Side sleepers’ preferences can also differ slightly when it comes to comfort, budget and lifestyle, which is why we recommended models that cater to a variety of needs.

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What To Consider When Buying A Mattress For Side Sleepers

When narrowing down your options as a side sleeper, make sure to consider key factors like pressure relief, spine alignment and how firm or soft a mattress is. We break down the specifics and the most important aspects to consider before making your purchase below.

Mattress Type

• Memory foam mattresses are responsive and contouring, which makes this type an ideal choice for side sleepers. However, memory foam is prone to trapping heat. Although some foam mattresses have cooling features that help regulate temperature, they generally won’t sleep as cool as hybrid or innerspring models.
• Hybrid mattresses combine a base of coils with plush foam layers to provide the pressure relief and support side sleepers need. They also have some bounce, which makes this mattress type especially good for side sleepers who flip to their back or stomach throughout the night. (The more bounce a mattress has, the easier it is to change positions.)
• Innerspring mattresses are primarily made up of a bed of coils with a thin layer of foam on top. This type tends to feel stiffer and less forgiving than all-foam or hybrid beds, so they’re generally not recommended for side sleepers.
• Latex mattresses have a springy, bouncy feel but also excel at providing deep contouring for pressure points. Latex also naturally sleeps cooler than memory foam, so for side sleepers who sleep hot, a latex mattress may be a better choice than an all-foam bed.

Firmness And Body Weight

In general, side sleepers benefit most from mattresses that fall between soft and medium-firm on the firmness scale. The key is finding a bed that is soft enough to cradle your major pressure points while still firm enough to keep the spine aligned. However, the exact firmness level that’s ideal for you will differ from the ideal firmness for another sleeper, depending on your body type and weight, which we’ll talk more about below.

• Lightweight side sleepers should opt for a softer mattress—i.e. one that ranks anywhere from a 3 to 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale—than the average side sleeper. A medium-soft to soft mattress provides an adequate amount of contouring and pressure relief for the hips and shoulders. A mattress that’s firmer than that may feel too stiff.
• Average-weight side sleepers tend to find the right balance of comfort and support with a medium-soft mattress to medium-firm mattress. In other words, a mattress that falls anywhere from a 4 to 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
• Heavyweight side sleepers benefit from a firmer bed since it’s common for these sleepers to experience dipping or sagging if the mattress isn’t sturdy enough. Consider a medium-firm to firm mattress (one that measures a 6 to 7 out of 10 in firmness) that allows the shoulders and hips to sink just enough without compromising spine alignment.

Pressure Relief

When sleeping on your side, your shoulders and hips are supporting the majority of your body weight. Because of this, these parts of your body experience more tension and pressure than they would in other sleeping positions. To elevate that excess pressure on your joints, side sleepers should look for a mattress that contours along the hips and shoulders, cushioning your sides for maximum relief.

Spine Alignment

It’s especially important for side sleepers, who tend to rest in positions that aren’t always good for the body’s spinal alignment, to be supported by their mattress. Without proper spine alignment, side sleepers can be prone to experiencing back or neck pain; more on that later.

The best mattress for side sleepers should be able to comfortably support your spine’s natural “S” curve. This means your back should be in a neutral position with your hips and neck, forming a relatively straight line. It’s also a good idea to invest in a pillow designed for side sleepers—side sleepers typically need a medium pillow loft in order to maintain even alignment with their neck.

Health And Pain Concerns

Without proper support from your mattress and pillows, side sleepers are susceptible to back, side and joint pain from spinal misalignment while sleeping. If you suffer from these types of pains or have concerns about these conditions, take it into consideration while shopping for your mattress. For back pain, you may prefer a mattress with a little extra support, like the Saatva Classic. And for shoulder and hip pain, a softer mattress with foam comfort layers is the way to go to cradle and relieve pressure on your joints—think the Nolah Evolution 15.

It’s also worth noting that side sleepers can be susceptible to acne. Over time, your pillow collects dirt, sweat and oils. And as you sleep, your face is in direct contact with those particles on your pillow for hours at a time. To help prevent acne caused by side sleeping, try washing your pillowcases more frequently or opting for a silk pillowcase.

Temperature Regulation

If you’re a side sleeper who sleeps hot, certain mattress features and materials, like coils, cooling covers and gel-infused foam, can help keep you cool. Some mattress types are also more cooling than others. All-foam mattresses tend to retain more heat, but hybrid and innerspring mattresses are more breathable because they contain coils, which leaves more room for airflow.

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The Best Mattress Accessories For Side Sleepers

In addition to the right mattress, other bedding accessories, such as pillows and mattress toppers, can also contribute to a more comfortable sleep for side sleepers. Below, we take a look at what side sleepers should look for in pillows and mattress toppers.

Pillows

A good pillow for side sleepers should fill the gap between the shoulders and head to keep the spine aligned. Also make sure to consider a pillow’s loft: A pillow that’s too low won’t properly support the head, and a pillow that’s too high will force the spine to overextend in the opposite direction. As for material, pillows made from memory foam and latex tend to provide the most support for side sleepers. For specific recommendations, check out our guide to the best pillows for side sleepers.

Mattress Toppers

Side sleepers need a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress for optimal sleep. If your current mattress is too firm and you’re not quite ready to invest in a new bed, a mattress topper can help. Look for a mattress topper made with memory foam or latex, both of which can help soften up a firm mattress and provide pressure relief.

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