Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

What kind of mattress should a side sleeper get?

There are some things you need to consider when buying a mattress for a side sleeper. The mattress needs to have good support so the spine can stay aligned. But the mattress top layer still needs to be soft enough for the hips to sink in a little. This softness gives comfort to the pelvis. When choosing the firmness, you usually consider the sleeper’s preference. But you also have to consider their weight. For example, a certain medium comfort mattress work for side sleepers who weigh 360 lbs or less. But that mattress may not work for side sleepers who weigh more than 360 lbs. Those people may need a firmer mattress.

Side Sleeper Bed Frame

You can pair a mattress for side sleepers with an adjustable bed. For side sleepers, the adjustable bed needs to remain flat while tilting at an angle. A flat bed is important for side sleepers. It is bad for your spine and pelvis to sleep on your side with either the head or leg up. A good example of an adjustable bed for side sleepers is the Glideaway adjustable bed. These beds have the elevation feature that lets you tilt the bed while keeping it flat. You can also use a traditional adjustable bed. But you may only use the adjustable features when lying on your back.
Shop Adjustable Beds for Side Sleepers

Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

10” Glideaway Awakening Transform mattress

Best Memory Foam Mattress for side Sleepers

The Glideaway Awakening Transform mattress great for side sleepers. The Transform is a medium comfort mattress. It has 5 inches of body support base foam so the spine. But it also has 3 inches of gentle support convoluted foam. This layer lets the shoulders and hips sit in the correct position to keep the spine aligned. The Transform has 2 inches of active charcoal memory foam. The foam is infused with ventilated TruGel®. This layer will help keep you cool as you sleep. If you tend to sleep near the edge of the bed, this mattress.

13” Sleeptronic PG 1400 Mattress

Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers

The Sleeptronic PG 1400 hybrid mattress is good for both side and back sleepers. It is a medium comfort mattress. When it comes to hybrid mattresses, Sleeptronic offers the best for side sleepers. The PG 1400 is a hybrid of foam and spring mattresses. But what makes the PG 1400 is that it can be used on an adjustable bed even though it has springs. The mattress uses the Quantum Coil system from Leggett and Platt. This system lets the mattress conform to the movements of an adjustable bed. The Sleeptronic PG 1400 also features CoolTex cooling ticking. There is cooling gel in the quilting. These features help keep you cool as you lie on the mattress.

14” Medallion Air mattress

Best Air Mattress for side sleepers

The Innomax Medallion is a great air mattress for side sleepers. The firmness is also adjustable. The mattress has a remote that adjusts the pressure inside the air chambers of the mattress. The air pressure level ranges from 1 to 50. The higher the number, the firmer the mattress. The Medallion has a 3-D Euro-style super pillow top that is cool to the touch. It also has a comfort layer that contours to your body for even weight distribution.

12” Sleeptronic pg 1300 mattress

Best Mattress for heavy side sleepers

12” Sleeptronic PG 1300 mattress is a great mattress for heavy side sleepers. Heavier people in general need firmer mattresses for support. The PG 1300 mattress is a firm hybrid mattress like the PG 1400. It features the CoolTex cooling ticking. It also has the Quantum Coil system from Leggett and Platt.

10” Awakening Transform Mattress

Best Mattress for side sleepers with Hip Pain

The Glideaway Transform mattress is a great mattress for side sleepers with hip pain. The Transform is 10 inches of memory foam. Memory foam tends to relieve hip pain for side sleepers because the foam conforms to the shape of the hip. It also allows the hips to lie in proper position. Hence, the foam is able to give better support and comfort. The Transform is also a medium comfort mattress. A medium comfort is a good sweet spot for both comfort and support for hip pain.

Side Sleeper vs Stomach Sleeper 

A side sleeper needs a medium comfort mattress while a stomach sleeper needs a firm mattress. Both sleepers need hip support to keep the spine aligned, but the kind of support differs. Side sleepers need some give around the hip area to let the hips sink down a little. That position helps keep the spine aligned for side sleepers. Meanwhile, stomach sleepers need firmness around the hip area to keep it from sinking. It will also keep them from overarching their lower back. This position helps keep the spine aligned for stomach sleepers. The mattress buying guide goes more into detail on the differences between a side sleeper and a stomach sleeper.

Different Mattress Types for Side Sleepers

Memory foam:  A memory foam mattress is good for side sleepers because it allows the mattress to conform to the hips. The bottom layers of a memory foam mattress are poly base foam. This layer serves as the support layer. It helps keep the hips in the proper position.

Air:  An air mattress is good for side sleepers because you can change the comfort to what is best for the side position. Modern air mattresses have a remote that controls the air pressure of the mattress. With a press of a button, you raise or lower the air pressure. The higher the air pressure, the firmer the mattress.

Latex:  A latex mattress is good for side sleepers because of the adjustable comfort layers. Each layer has a different comfort or firmness level: Soft, medium, and hard. You can rearrange the layers to suit your preferred firmness. For side sleepers, it is recommended to put the medium comfort layer at the top.

Hybrid:  A hybrid mattress with coils and memory is good for side sleepers. The coils give support while the memory foam gives comfort. The mattress for side sleepers with average weight needs to have medium comfort. If the person is heavier, then a mattress with a  firmer comfort level is more appropriate.

FAQ

Do side sleepers need a soft mattress?

A side sleeper would benefit more from a mattress with a medium comfort level.  A soft mattress can work for a side sleeper, but only if they weigh lighter than the average person.  In general, a soft mattress is more for back sleepers. Most side sleepers enjoy sleeping on a medium comfort level with good support.

What type of mattress is best for side sleepers, soft, medium, or firm?

Side sleepers tend to enjoy a medium comfort level mattress. A soft mattress can be okay for a side sleeper, but usually, if the person weighs lighter than the average person. A soft mattress is usually more appropriate for back sleepers. For a side sleeper with average weight, a firm mattress may be uncomfortable. It may not conform to the hips well and it may not keep the spine properly aligned. But for a heavy side sleeper, then a firm mattress may be appropriate.

How firm should a mattress be for a side sleeper?

The medium comfort level mattress is usually good for a side sleeper of average weight. A firm mattress can work too if that is the person’s preference. A side sleeper usually prefers a firm mattress if they weigh heavier than an average person. A soft mattress may not give enough support for a side sleeper, especially on their hips. A soft mattress may let the hips sink too much, misaligning the spine.