Best Side Sleepers Mattresses 2024

Can't find the right mattress? We've compared and reviewed the top mattress brands to help make your decision easier.

Last Updated: December 2024

1
DreamCloud logo

9.9

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2
Nectar logo

9.8

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3
Saatva logo

9.6

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Choosing the Right Mattress Type for You

Every person has different needs from their mattress. Choosing the best mattress for you depends on a number of personal factors. Before making your decision, you should ask yourself these questions: What position do I typically sleep in? Do I prefer a soft or firm mattress surface? Is the material of the mattress important to me? Do I tend to overheat during the night? The answers to these questions should guide your decision-making process. 

Types of Mattresses

Mattress technology has improved and continues to improve rapidly. There are now dozens of mattress types available to you and the options continue to grow. Some of the most popular types include memory foam, gel, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses. Each type has its pros and cons, so be sure to choose your mattress based on your specific needs. 

The Benefits of Buying Your Mattress Online

There are many benefits to buying your next mattress online. First of all, the best prices available are generally found online because of the reduced costs of operating an online store. Second, you’ll find many more options in an online store. Because the store isn’t limited by space, they can truly give you every option available to you before deciding. Lastly, buying mattresses online is now easier than ever. You can safely compare mattress features and make a decision from the comfort of your home. Additionally, nearly all online mattress brands offer risk-free trial periods—so there is no need to make your decision after a few moments on a bed that hundreds of other people have tested in store. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As the name implies, a side sleeper is a person who prefers to sleep on their side throughout the night. Side sleepers distribute most of their weight on their shoulders, hips, and ribs while sleeping. These pressure points take up less surface area than the pressure points of a back or stomach sleeper, so side sleepers commonly have issues with pain in their hips, shoulders, and ribs.
Due to the lack of surface area taken up on a side sleeper’s shoulders, hips, and ribs, side sleepers usually require a softer mattress than their stomach or back sleeping counterparts. Anything below a six on the firmness scale should provide enough softness to help keep side sleepers pain-free. When it comes to keeping a side sleeper comfortable, mattress softness matters more than the mattress type. With that in mind, side sleepers may prefer memory foam mattresses compared to other mattress types. Memory foam contours the body and supports pressure points, providing much-needed support for the ribs, hips, and shoulders.
The best way for side sleepers to ease shoulder, hip, and rib pain throughout the night is to soften their mattress. A softer mattress should better distribute a side sleeper’s weight, relieving their pressure points. Side sleepers often prefer memory foam mattresses, as memory foam “hugs” their pressure points to provide further relief.
The price of a mattress can range from as low as $500 to as high as $2,500 for the most luxurious models. Though the budget-friendly options may be tempting, if you are looking to upgrade your mattress to soothe back pain, plan to spend between $800-$1500 for a quality mattress.
Most mattress companies tend to offer these sizes, from smallest to largest: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King. Twin, Twin XL, and Full mattresses can comfortably sleep one person. Full, Queen, King, and California King mattresses can comfortably fit two people. In addition to the above sizes, some mattress companies offer a "Split California King," which is a California King mattress that is split down the middle. Couples most commonly order this option, as the split style allows each sleeper to customize the firmness of their own half of the bed. The mattress sizes listed above are the most common, but some mattress companies may make special sizes for toddlers and babies.