For many side sleepers, hybrid mattresses are the sweet spot between comfort and support. These beds have layers of comfort foams and a supportive layer of coils to keep side sleepers’ spine aligned throughout the night.
My fellow CNET mattress experts and I have tested plenty of hybrid beds over the years, and we know which ones are the best for side sleepers. Here are the top hybrid mattresses for those who favor their side when they sleep.
What is the best hybrid mattress for side sleepers?
Dillon Lopez/CNET
Side sleepers need a bed that’s supportive but also pressure-relieving on their hips and shoulders. The Casper Dream Max Hybrid mattress is the perfect balance of both. Made with a layer of flex coils, three layers of breathable foam and a soft, knit cover, the Casper Dream Max Hybrid also includes a zoned layer of foam that provides firmer support for the spine and softer comfort to the shoulders and hips. Side sleepers and couples should find this mattress comfortable.
Video: Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers
Watch my fellow CNET mattress expert Owen Poole review the best hybrid mattresses for side sleepers.
Best hybrid mattresses for side sleepers of 2024
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
Dillon Lopez/CNET
Type Soft neutral hybrid mattressFirmness Medium-soft or 3Trial 100 NightsWarranty 10 YearPrice $$$
Why we chose the Casper Dream Max Hybrid mattress: Casper is one of the most well-known mattress brands, and its beds constantly make our best lists. The Dream Max Hybrid in Casper’s new lineup is no exception. This mattress has a knit cover, three layers of foam, flex coils and a sturdy base. Its firmness level is medium-soft, which is ideal for side sleepers.
The Dream Max uses Zoned Support within the foam layers to help ease pressure points. This means that zones under your shoulders are softer to allow your body to sink a little, while the zone under your back is a bit firmer to further support your spine — great for those with back pain.
The top layer is memory foam made of what Casper calls “Flex Foam” which is breathable and provides enhanced airflow. While we wouldn’t consider this a cooling mattress, it should still help to keep you temperature-neutral at night. This bed is on the more expensive side, but Casper frequently offers deals that shave a few hundred dollars off.
Type Memory foam hybridFirmness 4 or medium to medium-softTrial 101 nightsWarranty Lifetime warrantyPrice$$$
Why we chose the Puffy Lux: If you’re familiar with memory foam, Tempur-Pedic might first come to mind. However, the memory foam on the Puffy Lux is much softer — and, in my opinion — more comfortable than its expensive rival. The Puffy Lux mattress has three layers of memory foam and a layer of support foam with contour-adapt coils. It feels airy and like its name, cloud-like. When I’m on my side, it doesn’t feel like I’m stuck in the mattress.
We found this mattress to be around a 4 out of 10 on our firmness scale or around a medium to medium-soft. If you are a side sleeper who prefers softer memory foam mattresses, then this is for you. However, it may be too soft or not supportive enough for strict back or stomach sleepers.
Pros:
Suitable for all body types
Soft and fluffy feel is great for side sleepers
Machine-washable cover
Cons:
Will cost you more than average memory foam mattresses
Type Hybrid mattressFirmness 3 firmness levels | Soft: Medium-soft to soft or 2 | Medium: Medium to medium-soft or 4 | Firm: Medium-firm or 7Trial 120 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warrantyPrice$$
Why we chose the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid: We’re big fans of the wallet-friendly Brooklyn Signature Hybrid, which is why we chose this for the best affordable hybrid mattress for side sleepers. This bed has five layers: a quilted top, comfort foam, transition foam, individually cased coils and a flex base. Due to its construction and three firmness options, this bed accommodates all body types and sleeping positions. The Brooklyn Signature offers a lot yet costs the least on this list. I think it’s a great value.
For $300 more, you can add a pillow top to the mattress, making it plushier. However, without the added pillow top, we find the Soft firmness level to be a medium-soft to soft or a 2, the Medium to be a medium to medium-soft or a 4 and the Firm to be a medium-firm or around a 7. For strict side sleepers, we recommend the Soft model.
Pros:
Three firmness options make it suitable for all sleeping positions
Its construction is supportive and durable for all body types
Great for those on a budget
Cons:
Ultrabudget shoppers may not find it affordable enough
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Dillon Lopez/CNET
Type Flippable hybrid mattressFirmness Firm: 5 or medium | Soft: 3 or medium-softTrial 120 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warrantyPrice$$
Why we chose the Layla Hybrid: If you’re uncertain of the right firmness level for you, or you share a bed with someone who’s uncertain, a flippable mattress is a good choice. The Layla Hybrid has two sides, two firmnesses and two chances to get it right. It uses a soft cover, a layer of copper-gel memory foam, support foam, an individually wrapped coil system, another layer of support foam and a final layer of copper-gel memory foam. The copper-infused memory foam is antimicrobial and helps regulate temperature.
The Soft side of the Layla Hybrid is around a medium-soft or a 3 on our scale. The Firm side is a 5 or a medium. Side sleepers will like the Soft side, and back and stomach sleepers or heavier side sleepers should stick to the Firm side. Both sides feel light, airy and more responsive than regular memory foam.
Type Hybrid mattressFirmness Soft or 1 to 2Trial 100-night trialWarranty 10 to 15 yearsPrice $$
Why we chose the Helix Sunset: One of the softest mattresses on the market, the Helix Sunset equates to a 1 or a 2 on our firmness scale. Many side sleepers love soft mattresses since they can ease pressure off the hips and shoulders — and the Sunset does just that while providing support with its layer of 1,000 individually wrapped coils. On top of the coils are two layers of responsive foam and a layer of copper gel memory foam. The cover is a soft knit design, but hot sleepers can opt for GlacioTex cooling cover (starting at an extra $199) or a GlacioTex pillow top (starting at an extra $299).
The Helix Sunset is also fairly affordable. Coming at just a little more than the Brooklyn Bedding Signature, the Helix Sunset can be found under $1,100 when it’s on sale.
Pros:
Extremely soft
Hybrid construction makes it good for any body type
Type Latex foam hybrid mattressFirmness Medium or 5Trial 120 nightsWarranty Lifetime warranty
Why we chose the WinkBed EcoCloud: The WinkBed EcoCloud is a luxury bed and one of the best pressure-relieving latex hybrid mattresses out there. While most latex mattresses are extra-firm or unsuitable for strict side sleepers, the WinkBed EcoCloud is a medium on our scale or about 5 out of 10. It’s supportive while also providing comfort to side sleepers’ hips and shoulders.
The WinkBed EcoCloud is made with organic cotton, New Zealand wool, Talalay latex and recycled steel coils. The coils around the edges are firmer to help prevent sagging and keep you from feeling like you’re falling off the edge. Thanks to its pressure relief, this mattress is great for those with hip and shoulder pain.
Other hybrid mattresses for side sleepers we’ve tested
At CNET, we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing mattresses. With so many beds to test and so few spots on our list, we aren’t able to showcase every quality hybrid mattress for side sleepers. However, we do want to give a few more beds the honorable mention they deserve.
Allswell Luxe: Allswell is known for its affordability, and we found the Allswell Luxe to be both affordable and good for side sleepers. This hybrid mattress is below $400 in a queen size, and a twin is a little less than $290. Despite the low price, the Luxe feels like other mattresses on this list. It’s around a medium-firm and has a bouncy feel to it. The bed uses memory foam and coils to support and help alleviate pressure points.
Leesa Sapira Chill: Leesa’s new line of cooling mattresses is impressive. The Leesa Sapira Chill is a luxurious pillow-top mattress that has an 8-inch layer of zoned-support pocketed coils. On top of the coils are four more layers of foam to provide extra comfort. The cover is a quilted top that’s cool to the touch. The best part about this mattress is that it comes in three different firmness options: Plush, Medium-Firm and Firm. Side sleepers should like the Medium-Firm option.
Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers of 2024 compared
Mattress
Mattress type
Price (queen)
Sleep trial period
Warranty
Casper Dream Max Hybrid
Foam hybrid
$3,125
100 nights
10-year limited
Puffy Lux
Memory foam hybrid
$2,849
101 nights
Lifetime
Brooklyn Signature
Foam hybrid
$1,332
120 nights
10-year limited
Layla Hybrid
Flippable hybrid
$1,699
120 nights
10-year limited
Helix Sunset
Foam hybrid
$1,374
100 nights
20-year prorated
WinkBed EcoCloud
Latex hybrid
$1,999
120 nights
Lifetime
How we tested the best hybrid mattresses for side sleepers
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
When we test mattresses, we have an established process that assesses key factors like firmness, feel and performance. We test how strong the edge of the bed is by sitting and lying on the edge. We test motion transfer by rolling across the mattress with a glass of water by the edge. These are things we do for all the beds we test. The best hybrid mattresses for side sleepers have a unique testing process. We dive further into the bed’s construction, paying attention to each layer contributing to the cooling process.
1. Firmness: We lay on each mattress and use our experience from testing over 200 different beds to determine firmness. Compared to other mattresses, we analyze how soft or hard a bed feels. It’s important to wait until the mattress is fully expanded after opening to get the real firmness perspective.
2. Feel: This is where we get handsy with the beds. We touch and feel the mattresses and watch what the material does. Is it light and bouncy like latex foam or slow and dense like memory foam?
3. Durability: We don’t lay on the mattress every day for years, so it’s hard to tell exactly how long each bed will last. We are able to hypothesize a bed’s firmness by looking at its construction. Beds with steel coils are typically more durable and stronger than all-foam mattresses.
4. Best body type: We use construction and feel to determine how accommodating a bed will be for a heavy individual. Hybrid mattresses with steel coils are typically more supportive and longer-lasting; a plus for heavier individuals looking for a quality bed.
5. Best sleeping position: We get real physical and flip around the mattresses, testing each sleeping position: side, back, stomach and combination.
6. Motion isolation: With one or preferably two people on the mattress, we jump and bounce around to see how much movement can be detected throughout the bed. We also use the method where you place a cup of water at the edge of the bed and bounce around to see how much it moves.
7. Edge support: We analyze a mattress’s materials and physically lay on each edge of the mattress to get a feel for how well it’ll keep us feeling sturdy.
8. Temperature: We use hot sleepers to test and determine how cool a bed sleeps. We also take a look at its materials and construction — did a brand add anything to make it sleep cooler?
9. Smell: Some mattresses can off-gas an interesting smell. We use our trusty snouts to test this characteristic.
What to look for in a hybrid mattress as a side sleeper
If you’re searching for the best hybrid mattress for you, here’s everything you need to keep in mind as a side sleeper.
Firmness
Side sleepers typically enjoy mattresses that are medium in terms of firmness. If a mattress is too firm, side sleepers might not get the right amount of pressure relief on their hips and shoulders. However, if you prefer a softer or firmer mattress, that is your choice. Also, be aware that your body type will alter the firmness of your mattress. If you are a heavier person, a medium mattress will feel softer to you. If you are an extra-petite sleeper, a mattress will feel firmer.
Body type
You require a mattress that will best support you based on your body type. Heavier people require a mattress that is supportive, durable and firm. If you are a heavier side sleeper, I suggest a hybrid mattress that is firm to extra-firm. This will give you ample support throughout the night and keep your spine aligned. Petite sleepers may need an extra-soft mattress that will give them enough pressure relief.
Budget
Your budget is a big factor when searching for the right mattress. Unfortunately, hybrid mattresses are often more costly than all-foam beds. If you’re someone who requires or wants a hybrid bed but has a tight budget, I recommend waiting to purchase until a major mattress holiday. The best times to buy a mattress are Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Check out our deal’s page for the most up-to-date sales.
Yes, hybrid mattresses are good for side sleepers. Hybrid mattresses provide both comfort and support. Specifically, average side sleepers should look for a hybrid mattress that’s about a medium-soft to medium on the firmness scale.
Most side sleepers enjoy mattresses that are about a medium-soft to medium on the firmness scale. Beds that are around this level offer pressure relief and support. If you’re an extra-petite sleeper, however, any mattress is going to feel firmer. If you’re a heavier person, mattresses will tend to feel softer.
While there aren’t a lot of negatives to hybrid mattresses, keep in mind that hybrid beds often cost more than all-foam options. Hybrid mattresses also are often heavier and harder to move.
