by Jane |
Last Updated: June 19, 2017 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
If you’re a side sleeper, we highly recommend two things to help you get the best sleep of your entire life. These two things are knee pillows and a really great mattress.
We’ve already tackled our top picks for knee pillows for side sleepers so this time around, let’s talk about what you need from your mattress.
In a nutshell, you need one with some give and support. If you’re a back sleeper, a firm mattress is good. But when you’re a side sleeper, there are a lot of things going on that bring you discomfort in this position.
The first are your curves bearing down on the mattress. The second is the resulting alignment (or misalignment) of your spine. And finally, the third would be your knees rubbing together in a very awkward and even painful manner.
So if you’re a side sleeper, look for a mattress that is soft to moderate on the firmness scale while at the same time having great support to relieve pressure points and keep your spine, neck, and back aligned properly.
You’ll be surprised to know but there are actually mattresses that are specifically made with side sleepers in mind. We’ve taken some of the stress out of finding the right mattress for you with our handy reviews.
The Top 5 Mattresses for Side Sleepers
#5: Live and Sleep Resort Ultra 12”
The Live and Sleep is an easy-clean, medium-firm memory foam mattress that comes with a memory foam pillow. Both are suitable for side sleepers.
It’s not a cheap mattress, but, if you regularly wake with the aches and pains associated with sleeping on your side, it makes for a good investment.
Pros:
- Comes with memory foam pillow
- Easy-clean
- Medium-firm
Cons:
- A little on the pricey side
- Can do well with a topper for added softness
- The free pillow is sometimes forgotten during delivery
Value For Money?
If you’re not worried about cost, this could be a good investment especially as it’s easy to clean. This makes it ideal for the elderly and infirm as well as young children who have a tendency to have “accidents” at night.
- PERFECT CONTOUR. King size mattress cradles you in a deluxe cushion of 2.5” Premium Air-Flow MF over 1” of Gel-Infused Memory Foam plus...
- COOLING INNOVATION. Breathable, plush & better quality materials, not cheap inexpensive foam. Optimum comfort that relaxes & cools your...
- BEST SOLUTION. Top Rated King Memory Foam Mattress. Classic medium-firm HD core relieves pressure points + less tossing & turning. Good for...
Last update on 2025-11-22 at 00:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
#4: Zinus Sleep Master 6”
This mattress is quite short and relatively thin so it may be better suited to children. It is also very firm, which may be a drawback for some people, although it does offer good back support, and may therefore be a good investment for a child with disabilities, or who is recovering from surgery,
Pros:
- Good back support
Cons:
- More suited to children than adults
Value For Money?
For a child’s room, this is a good buy. Adults, however, would be better off looking for a thicker, longer mattress especially if you are on the heavier end of the scale.
- INSPIRED BY NATURE - Wholesome and natural ingredients, like green tea and moisture-absorbing charcoal work wonders in a mattress, and...
- PRESSURE-RELIEVING FOAMS – Layers of conforming green tea memory foam and high-density Z:Base foam hug your shape to soothe you to sleep
- AFFORDABLE REST, CERTIFIED QUALITY - Experience the luxury of high-quality CertiPUR-certified foams without breaking the bank. This...
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#3: Classic Brands Ventilated Gel 8″
If you want to try memory foam mattresses but are put off by the feedback about them getting warm, then you need to check out this Classic Brands mattress. It’s got a 2-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam that helps with the heat problem. (I have the same gel variety on my memory pillow and I swear it makes my pillow really much cooler.)
Pros:
- Good quality mattress
- Stays cool; the gel portion negates the weakness of memory foam when it comes to heat issues
- Affordable price tag
Cons:
- May be too firm for some folks
Value For Money?
This is a comfortable mattress with good support that’s only a fraction of a price of branded ones. I’ll also share that other mattress experts have given this particular mattress very good reviews.
- Ergonomic Support & Comfort: Designed with a high-density foam base & breathable comfort foam layer, this memory foam mattress adapts to...
- Pressure-Relieving Medium Firm Support: This medium firm twin memory foam mattress offers high-density support that cradles pressure points,...
- Breathable Open-Cell Design for Cooling: Features a ventilated open-cell structure that enhances airflow and heat dissipation. This twin bed...
Last update on 2025-11-22 at 00:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
#2: Linen Spa 8” Hybrid Mattress
The Linen Spa Hybrid is a medium-firm mattress that combines the pressure point relief of memory foam with the durable support of a sprung mattress.
Sprung mattresses are more suitable for those who regularly need to change their sleeping position, and, in a hybrid mattress, the memory foam adds a layer of comfort to this functionality. It’s very comfortable and the price is great.
These mattresses do have a tendency to come up slightly short on some bed frames.
Pros:
- Combination of pressure point relief and durable support
- Better suited to those who change position frequently
- Good support for larger people
- Medium-firm
Cons:
- Can come up short on some bed frames
- Too firm for some folks
Value For Money?
This is a very affordable mattress that offers excellent support. If you’re not tall enough to be bothered by the mattress possibly being a little shorter than stated, or if you’re buying for a child’s bed, then definitely go for it.
- General Note: Please allow 24 - 72 hours for your Mattress to regain its full shape. Any memory foam will expand faster in a warmer room. In...
- 8 inch hybrid mattress combine hypallergenic memory foam with the traditional support of an innerspring mattress for a medium-firm feel...
- Finished with a cozy knit cover, this mattress is compressed as a bed in a box for convenient delivery and setup
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#1: Zinus 12” Premium Mattress
Infused with green tea, charcoal, and natural plant extracts, this is a medium-firm mattress that offers natural stay-fresh comfort. We like the Zinus and would describe it as a combo of both pleasantly soft and firm.
It does tend to get quite warm, and the sizing can be a little off.
Pros:
- Natural freshness
- Medium-firm
- Great customer support
Cons:
- Sizing isn’t always as stated
- Too firm for some
Value For Money?
The Zinus is a great mattress for side sleepers. It’s comfortable and has great support. I am also particularly drawn in by the plant infusions. It’s a bit on the premium end but when it comes to a good night sleep, it’s a great investment.
While it’s got a lot of more than satisfied customers, a fraction find this mattress too firm. Also, a handful have experienced sizing issues. Customer support, from what we’ve seen, is responsive and quickly replaces any problem mattresses.
- CLOUDLIKE LUXURY - We’re not kidding - the feel of our Cloud mattress is just how we imagine it would feel to sleep on one; with cradling...
- SUPPORTIVE FOAMS - 2 total inches plush microfiber and foam quilted top, 2 inches conforming memory foam, 3 inches soft comfort foam, and 5...
- AFFORDABLE REST, CERTIFIED QUALITY - Experience the luxury of high-quality CertiPUR-certified foams without breaking the bank. This...
Last update on 2025-11-22 at 00:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Author: Jane Neu
Jane is the creator of Complete Home Spa – “It’s a good idea,” she said. But even she has been taken aback by its success. She lives with a cranky Englishman in a quiet countryside retreat. And in the past year, has become mom cat to a spunky rescue named Mina. Connect with her on Twitter @completehomespa.