If sleeping on your side is your dream position, you'll want to find a mattress that suits you. GQ's picks of the best mattresses for side sleepers cover memory foam, hybrid and latex, from Emma to DreamCloud.
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Knowing your sleeping position when you're looking for a mattress is like knowing your body type when you’re clothes shopping – it's not a one-size-fits-all situation and sleep is the same. We all have different bodies, our habits and partners are different, and we all find different things comfortable, so mattresses are designed to cater to that. Some suit those with back pain, some are made for the front or back sleepers among us, but many are also specifically for side sleepers. It’s the most common sleep position after all, so count yourself lucky if mattresses for side sleepers is what you find yourself shopping for, the other positions are much trickier.
Whether memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses, latex or pocket sprung mattresses are your thing, we've dedicated this to the side sleepers out there who want to be that bit more comfortable overnight. From the embrace of memory foam to the bouncy buoyancy of latex, the side sleepers among us have found the very best mattresses recommended for side sleepers, incorporating technologies that cater specifically to lateral inclination.
Skip to: Which are the best mattresses for side sleepers? | How do we test the best mattress for side sleepers? GQ's review process | What mattress materials are best for side sleepers, and how do they provide support? | How do I know if I am a side sleeper? | Shop GQ’s edit of the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2024…
Which are the best mattresses for side sleepers?
You'll find full details about the best mattresses we have recommended for side sleepers a little further down, but if you're in a rush and you need a quick rundown, we have detailed our top three below, plus our top five at a glance.
The Emma NextGen Premium mattress offers great support and body contouring with memory foam and pocket springs making it ideal for side sleepers. It's 7-zone design, with breathable layers that'll deliver a cool night's rest for hot sleepers and pressure relief too.
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress offers pressure relief and cooling with its memory foam layers. The 5-layer construction includes a base for support, a temperature-regulating cover, and various foam layers for comfort and bounce for all body types.
The award-winning Simba Hybrid Pro mattress offers excellent spinal alignment and pressure relief with breathable layers. The medium-firm mattress is ideal for side sleepers, and comes with a free protector and washable cover.
- Best mattress for side sleepers overall: Emma NextGen Premium Mattress, from £335 at emma-sleep.co.uk
- Best memory foam mattress for side sleepers: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, from £380 at nectarsleep.co.uk
- Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers: Simba Hybrid Pro, £899 at simbasleep.co.uk
- Best mattress for side sleepers with latex: Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress, from £350 at hypnia.co.uk
- Best luxury mattress for side sleepers: Hypnos Pillow Top Elite, from £1,900 at mattressman.co.uk
How do we test the best mattress for side sleepers? GQ's review process
We're all about a good night's sleep at GQ so our team of writers, editors, and testers have written countless mattress reviews to try and pick an overview of the best options out there. In most cases, we've tried and tested the mattresses below personally, checking how they work for side sleepers and whether or not we actually felt both supported and comfortable on them. In the few instances where we were unable to test, we've only included brands we know and love and took into account the specifications before making any decisions about what we'd recommend.
All of our mattress guides and reviews are edited by Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer at GQ, who has been writing about interiors and mattresses for over four years and sunk herself into many mattresses.
What mattress materials are best for side sleepers, and how do they provide support?
The best mattresses for side sleepers generally incorporate materials that offer a delicate balance of support and pressure relief. Memory foam and latex mattresses are popular choices for their ability to contour to the body's natural curves, providing targeted support to areas like the shoulders and hips.
We advise you look for mattresses with a medium to medium-soft firmness to ensure proper spinal alignment without sacrificing the necessary cushioning for side-sleeping comfort. Hybrid mattresses, combining elements like pocketed coils and foam layers, can also offer a supportive yet plush surface for side sleepers seeking the perfect blend of comfort and spinal support.
How do I know if I am a side sleeper?
Identifying your primary sleeping position is crucial in selecting the right mattress and level of firmness that’s perfect for you. Side sleepers often find comfort lying on their left or right sides, opting for that position to fall asleep, whether that's extended straight, or curled up in the foetal position.
If you wake up in the morning realising you've spent most of the night in one of these positions, there's a good chance you are a side sleeper. Observing your natural sleeping posture and any associated discomfort can help you make an informed decision when choosing a mattress and firmness scale tailored to your needs.
Shop GQ’s edit of the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2024…
Best for hot sleepers
1/9Emma Sleep
NextGen Premium Mattress
Reasons to buy: Supportive | Comfortable | Temperature regulating
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, EU Single, EU Double, EU King
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Night trial: 200 nights
Bed-in-a-box brand Emma stands out as one of our preferred brands in the realm of mattresses and bedding and its NextGen Premium Hybrid mattress is one of our favourite products, renowned for providing exceptional support, whilst moulding to your body. It boasts a 7-zone design featuring Halo Memory Foam at the surface and tall pocket springs that conform to your body's contours, ensuring optimal spinal support and gentle cradling of the shoulders.
The mattress's multiple-layer construction integrates Point Elastic Airgocell technology, regulating body temperature and fostering a refreshing, pressure-relieved sleep environment, while an UltraDry breathable cover features moisture-wicking properties and easy removal for effortless washing. It's not just a great mattress for side sleepers, but it’s one of the best cooling mattresses out there too, resulting in a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of support, comfort, and advanced sleep technologies. The 200-night trial and 10 year guarantee aren't bad either.
£479£335. At emma-sleep.co.ukBest for breathability
2/9Simba
Hybrid Pro
Reasons to buy: Wool top layer | Temperature regulating | Comfortable
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, EU Double, EU King
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Night trial: 200 nights
The Simba Hybrid Pro mattress, adorned with no less than ten awards, has rightfully earned its accolades. With a total of eight layers, this medium-firm mattress boasts a luxurious wool top layer that is both natural and breathable. Beneath it lies a dual layer of 2,000 zoned titanium alloy Aerocoil springs, meticulously designed for excellent spinal alignment and effective pressure relief.
The Simba Hybrid Pro features the company's open-cell Simbatex foam that offers a cooling airflow, preventing any uncomfortable warmth during your slumber, while the SupportCore base provides edge-to-edge support. If you need an added bonus, there's a free mattress protector included, while the breathable luxe knitted cover, which is soft to the touch, easily slips off for a convenient refresh in the washing machine. The Simba Hybrid Pro is a true standout in the realm of mattresses and a great option for side sleepers based on our experience, though it’s suitable for stomach sleepers and back sleepers too. From £929. At simba-sleep.com
Best for premium Simba mattress lovers
3/9Simba
Apex Mattress
Reasons to buy: Advanced design including Simba's latest innovations, made in the UK
- Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super-King
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Night trial: 200 nights
While shopping by your sleeping position is important, plenty of mattress brands these days are working to be suitable for any size and any sleeping position, as is the case with Simba's Apex mattress. The most premium version of its new ‘Earth’ range, the Apex is the pinnacle of Simba’s innovation at the moment, using both new technology and a more sustainable approach to its construction. While size isn’t always the best measure of a mattress, when it comes to the Apex, the sheer amount of springs (we’re talking 5,750), as well as the eight layers and 30cm of depth, are a testament to just how comfortable the mattress feels. Unlike most of Simba’s mattresses that come rolled up, this takes more of a traditional form, using wool, cashmere and mohair to enhance the comfort of the design and arriving ready to go on your bed. And coming in at ‘medium-firm’ it should work well for side sleepers who don’t want something too hard, but also need that slight give to contour to their body. An easy win. From £2,199. At simbasleep.com
Best for pressure relief
4/9Nectar
Memory Foam Mattress
Reasons to buy: Temperature regulating | Comfortable | Supportive with bounce
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
- Type of mattress: Memory foam
- Guarantee: Forever
- Night trial: 365 nights
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress seamlessly combines comfort and innovation to offer a dreamy sleep experience. Constructed with memory foam that delicately contours to your body, this mattress not only provides support to pressure points but also boasts temperature-regulating properties to ensure a cool night's sleep.
Standing at 25cm tall, the Nectar Memory Foam benefits from a total of five layers, featuring a sturdy positioning base at the bottom and a quilted cooling cover on top, adept at dissipating heat away from your body. Between these layers, the mattress has a Dynamic Support layer of foam, offering excellent support with a touch of added bounce for a luxuriously comfortable mattress. A layer of Pressure Relieving Memory Foam enhances overall comfort and support, while a seven-zone Supportive Base contributes to compression, further elevating the overall sleeping experience. From
£470£380. At nectarsleep.co.uk
Best for reducing allergies
5/9Otty
Pure+ Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal Premium Mattress
Reasons to buy: Breathable | Odour eliminating | Supportive
- Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Night trial: 100 nights
Crafted for optimal support, the Otty Pure+ Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal Premium Mattress offers a robust design with seven layers of memory foam and springs, culminating in a sumptuous 28cm depth. Its comfort is elevated with an embroidered cover, while a heat-regulating foam infused with bamboo - known for its breathable and moisture-wicking properties - and charcoal - known for its hypoallergenic and odour-eliminating qualities - lies beneath.
An additional five layers incorporate a total of 4,000 encapsulated pocket springs, maximising support but also minimising movement for an undisturbed sleep experience as you roll from side to side. Adding to these features is the inclusion of unique Airflow technology that contributes to effective temperature regulation. Overall, the Otty Pure+ mattress offers a great blend of support, comfort, and climate control. From
£650£550. At otty.comBest for integrated toppers
6/9Hypnia
Supreme Hybrid Mattress
Reasons to buy: Incorporated mattress topper | Supportive | Latex layer
- Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, EU Double, King, EU King, Super King
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Guarantee: 15 years
- Night trial: 200 nights
The Hypnia Supreme Hybrid is an excellent all-in-one mattress solution for side sleepers that combines a mattress with an integrated topper, presenting a lavish 30cm depth. Crafted from a breathable fabric, the mattress topper facilitates optimal air circulation to keep you comfortably cool, while the memory foam layer below alleviates pressure points, and a layer of natural latex enhances overall comfort and dissipates excess heat.
Ensuring a harmonious alignment, a honeycomb foam layer contributes to proper body positioning, while the foundation has an advanced layer of extra-tall pocket springs, providing exceptional support while promoting improved breathability. It's an all-in-one delight that's both supported and comfortable. From
£1,000£350. At hypnia.co.ukBest for spinal support
7/9Emma Sleep
Original Mattress
Reasons to buy: Breathable | Supportive | Temperature regulating
- Sizes available: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
- Type of mattress: Memory Foam
- Night trial period: 200 nights
- Guarantee: 10 year warranty
Engineered for optimum spinal alignment and support, the Emma Original Mattress boasts a medium firmness and a three-layer construction of pressure-relieving foam. Among its layers is the company's Halo memory foam, renowned for its exceptional spinal support and breathability, ensuring a temperature-regulated sleep experience.
The Original Mattress from Emma also incorporates an open-pored HRX layer strategically positioned to enhance airflow, promoting effective moisture evaporation to guarantee a comfortable, cool, and dry sleep, even during those hopefully upcoming warm summer nights. The hybrid mattress from Emma has some extra advantages but if memory foam is your bag, this is a great option for side sleepers.
£349£279 at emma-sleep.co.uk
Best for edge-to-edge support
8/9Hypnos
Pillow Top Elite
Reasons to buy: Comfortable | Edge-to-edge support | Luxurious pillow top cushioning
- Sizes available: Small Single, Single, Small Double, Double, King Size, Super King
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Night trial period: 60 nights
- Guarantee: 10 year warranty
The Hypnos Pillow Top Elite is a super plush mattress meticulously handcrafted using natural and sustainable fibres and upholstered with two fleeces of British wool, certified to the Responsible Wool Standard. The Pillow Top Elite has Adaptiv comfort springs, coupled with a responsive Talalay latex layer, while the ReActivePro pocket spring system with six active turns guarantees personalised support by sensing your shape and weight distribution.
Elsewhere, Triple Edge Protection delivers true edge-to-edge support so you can maximise the sleep surface, while the signature Hypnos God of Sleep woven cover, crafted from responsibly sourced cotton, meets fire retardancy standards and adds to the already soft and luxurious feeling this mattress offers. It's called Elite for a reason.
£2,712£1900. At mattressman.co.ukBest for couples with different sleeping positions
9/9DreamCloud
Luxury Hybrid Mattress
Reasons to buy: Great support | Combination of layers | Edge-to-edge support
- Sizes available: Single, Double, King Size, Super King
- Type of mattress: Hybrid
- Night trial period: 365 nights
- Guarantee: Forever warranty
The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress combines memory foam with Reinforced Edge pocket springs to deliver great support, alongside serious comfort, whether you're a side sleeper, front sleeper or back sleeper, making it ideal for couples with different sleeping positions.
Five layers make up a luxurious 28cm depth, with a luxury quilted top for breathability, Dream Plush Breathable Supporting Memory Foam for deep contouring support that moulds to your body all night long, and a Dynamic Transition layer to promote spinal alignment. There's a Support Foam on the bottom of this plush mattress to cradle your body, while 15cm premium pocket springs offer super support and minimise motion transfer. If you want to feel like you're sleeping on cloud nine, this is a superb option. £949 £400. At dreamcloudsleep.co.uk
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