Partner content: This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones, independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission. Learn More
After researching and testing hundreds of beds, these mattresses are the best options to help side sleepers get a great night’s sleep.
Your mattress and how you sleep can impact your overall health. Side sleepers in particular often need extra pressure relief on their shoulders and hips, so a mattress that’s too firm could cause pain or stiffness over time. We at the MarketWatch Guides team, in partnership with our testers at Mattress Advisor and Sleepopolis Labs, tested hundreds of the best mattresses to choose the best picks for side sleepers who often need additional cushioning in the hips and shoulders.
“Side sleeping is generally recognized as a healthier sleeping position for the spine to help prevent or worsen back and joint pain,” said Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, a quadruple-board certified physician in pulmonary, critical care, sleep and internal medicine.
In this roundup, we’ll share our findings on the best mattresses for side sleepers, who we think can get the most out of each mattress and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
A mattress can be a major expense, so it’s important to take your time and get it right. Online mattress brands tend to offer bigger selections and good value, especially around holidays and Black Friday. If you already have a good idea of what you want or are online research-savvy, online shopping may be a good option.
If you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, in-store shopping can give you in-person assistance and hands-on testing of your own. Some online brands also offer in-store testing in local showrooms.
As you shop for a mattress for side sleepers, keep these considerations in mind.
Side sleeping requires specific specifications from a mattress to make sure you don’t wake up with pain or get a restless night’s sleep. The hips and shoulders press into the mattress much more than they would on the back or stomach. People should aim to match their sleeping position to the construction and feel of their chosen mattress.
A firmer mattress can put pressure on your shoulders and hips, which can lead to worsening pain over time.
The firmness of a mattress is a subjective rating that exists on a 1 to 10 scale between soft and firm. We’ve found that many people enjoy a medium-firm feel, or about a 6.5 to 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. Side sleepers will likely find that firmness works well for them, though lighter sleepers under 130 pounds may need an even more soft mattress.
For those who suffer from back or joint pain, a medium-firm mattress is usually a good option. Both hybrid and innerspring mattresses can work for this level of firmness. Hybrids tend to offer a bit more cushioning and that hugging feel that can help align the spine and neck.
Those who suffer from hip or shoulder pain will need a mattress that provides extra softness. This is especially true for side sleepers living with pain.
Always check with your doctor to see what they’d recommend for your specific health and comfort needs.
Gravity makes all bodies sink down into a mattress in different ways, making the mattress feel different and support better or worse, depending on weight. We consider different factors for someone who weighs over 230 pounds versus under 130 pounds. The lighter person will sink less into the top layers, which could cause more pressure on the hips and shoulders. A softer mattress may be in order for those lighter folks and those who sleep on their side.
Two elements usually factor into decision-making for those who share a bed: responsiveness (or bounciness) and motion isolation. Motion isolation allows you or your partner to shift around without too much disturbance to the other person.
Responsiveness, on the other hand, allows you to more easily move around on the surface of the mattress, making it easier to get out as well. A mattress with really good motion isolation may also be very contouring, which means you’ll feel more like you’re sinking into it.
According to our extensive in-person testing, the Saatva Classic is the best overall mattress for side sleepers. It’s a luxury mattress with the cushioning side sleepers need in the shoulders and hips but enough firmness to maintain spinal alignment.
When shopping for the best mattress for side sleeping, firmness is an important consideration. Side sleepers generally benefit from medium-firm mattresses, but heavier sleepers over 230 pounds will likely do best with something firmer. If you’re navigating back or joint pain, check with your doctor for a recommendation on mattress firmness and construction to best meet your needs.
Side sleepers usually benefit from a medium-firm feel, though heavier sleepers over 230 pounds may want something a bit more firm. Most sleepers need adequate cushioning in the hips and shoulders, which can be found from slightly softer mattresses.
Both types of mattresses can benefit a side sleeper, depending on the firmness. A hybrid is often a better option for side sleepers to balance comfort and pressure relief. An all-foam is often more contouring to the body, hugging the curves. This can also be beneficial, especially for those under 130 pounds.
Higher loft and memory foam pillows can help keep your head up to give your neck a neutral alignment. This can help keep your whole spine more neutrally-aligned, helping to prevent pain.
Side sleepers should avoid very firm and very soft mattresses. Both extremes can add more pressure or more sagging to your sleeping experience. Finding a middle ground that works for your sleeping type and body weight is ideal.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
