The 11 Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is a common sleeping position and can offer myriad benefits, such as improved breathing for people with sleep apnea and reduced pressure for those experiencing joint pain.

However, side sleeping "may cause neck or back pain" and can put pressure on your shoulders, says Kristen Casey, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist.

That's where a supportive and comfortable mattress comes in. When looking for the best mattress for side sleepers, you should consider the firmness level, comfort and price.

There are a number of mattresses to choose from, so we've rounded up the top picks to make shopping a little easier.

We tapped a sleep specialist for their recommendations and narrowed down the best mattresses for side sleepers based on the following criteria:

• Type of mattress
• Firmness
• Price

The Saatva Classic is a comfortable, durable, responsive mattress, earning its spot as our best overall choice.

The mattress is ideal for side sleepers because it has a plush topper. Made with soft foam and extra padding, the topper contours to your body's natural position and spine alignment.

Each mattress is also engineered with lumbar support and organic cotton, allowing for breathability and comfort.

There are three firmness levels to pick from — plush soft, luxury firm and firm — so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences.

Bonus? The mattress comes with a one-year trial period. "This is important because everyone has a different subjective level of comfort with mattresses," Casey says.

If you're on the hunt for a luxurious mattress with a budget-friendly price tag, look no further than the Helix Mattress.

It's made with five layers: a cover, comfort layer, transition layer, body shape layer and base layer. These layers are made of high-density foam, which contours to the natural shape of your side and provides ergonomic support.

Plus, you'll get to enjoy a 15-year warranty and a 100-day trial to test out the mattress. Casey says: "The Helix Sleep Mattress is a budget-friendly high-end mattress that I think side sleepers would love."

Finding the right bed for side sleepers is no easy feat. That's why Casey recommends this mattress because it's made of the brand's signature gel technology called GelFlex.

It "helps with pressure relief on the hips and shoulders while keeping your spine aligned," she explains, which makes it a great mattress for people with hip pain. It's also a great mattress for people with sciatica.

Even better? It's hypoallergenic and free of toxic materials.

We also appreciated that the mattress is breathable, thanks to over 1,400 built-in air channels, which allow hot air to escape during the night (hot sleepers, rejoice).

In addition to a 10-year warranty, you'll get free shipping, free returns and a 100-day trial period to test out the waters before committing.

This mattress comes recommended by Casey for its back relief system. It's also a great mattress for neck pain relief.

Constructed with gel-infused foam and individually wrapped coils, the WinkBed contours to the natural curves of your body and relieves achy backs and necks.

We also appreciate that there are four levels of firmness: softer, luxury firm, firmer and plus, with softer offering minimal support. This also makes it one of the best mattresses for side sleepers with low back pain.

What's more, the cover is cooling and moisture-wicking thanks to the 100-percent Eucalyptus-derived Tencel.

Beyond free shipping and returns, you'll get a lifetime warranty and a 120-day risk-free trial, so you can test out the mattress before committing.

Made with advanced memory foam and pocket springs, Leesa's Sapira Mattress contours to the natural shape of your spine and provides pressure relief and support, making it one of the best hybrid mattresses for side sleepers.

"The Leesa Hybrid Mattress offers coils for support and memory foam for comfort, which is helpful for side sleepers," Casey explains.

The top layer is punctured with holes, too, allowing for the passage of hot air and a cooler, more comfortable sleep.

This mattress stands out because each mattress is handcrafted in the U.S. and you can enjoy a 10-year warranty. From twin to California king, there's a mattress size that'll meet your lifestyle and sleep quality needs.

If you prefer the feel of pure memory foam over gel or coils, Nectar has this memory foam-only option. It has five layers of CertiPUR-US foam, which will keep you cradled all night long.

If you do want a coils plus memory foam, Nectar has a hybrid option starting at only $100 more for a twin. And, it has lifetime warranty in case you need to return.

This mattress has two sides: soft and firm, and you can flip it to either side depending on your mood.

The firmer side is perfect for couples because it offers less sink and reduces motion transfer, so you can toss and turn without the fear of waking up your partner. Plus, you'll both get refreshing sleep.

"Mattresses that may be helpful for couples are those that offer motion isolation or customizations for either side, because each partner may have different sleep needs and positions," Casey explains.

The foam layer is infused with copper, which keeps heat away, helping you sleep cooler. Copper also has antimicrobial properties to prevent the formation of funky odors and bacterial growth.

If you've wondered what comfort level is the best for side sleepers, the answer is: whatever feels best to you! Mattress firmness is truly selective, and fortunately, this option from DreamCloud is a great comfortable option.

The combo of coils and foam offers support for your spine, helping you stay cozy all night long. Plus, the edges have extra support, so none of the mattress will feel flimsy.

Bonus: It comes with a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty, meaning DreamCloud will replace the mattress if it breaks at any point, at no additional charge.

The Nolah is designed with the brand's signature graphite-infused technology to offer a cooling effect and keep body heat at bay.

A hybrid mattress, the Nolah is made of coils and memory foam to "offer support and pressure relief" for your spine and curves of the body, which makes this mattress ideal for side sleepers, Casey says.

It comes in three levels of firmness: plush, luxury firm and firm.

The mattress is constructed with seven layers and has a foundation layer for durability. Each mattress is backed by a lifetime warranty and is CertiPUR-US certified, which means the foam is free of heavy metals and chemical fire substances.

(Psst: Hot sleeper? Check out these cooling comforters, cooling duvet covers and cooling sheets for a more comfortable, restful night's sleep.)

If you have the budget to splurge on a luxury mattress, we'd recommend Diamond Mattress Ethos. Each mattress is made with quality materials, such as organic cotton, certified wool and non-toxic foam. The foam top and wrapped coils offer support for your spine and body curves, making this mattress ideal for back and side sleepers.

The foam on the mattress received a seal of approval from CertiPUR-US, which means that it was made without harmful chemicals and toxins like formaldehyde, mercury, lead or flame retardants.

The best cooling mattress will have naturally breathable materials like cotton. That's why this mattress by Birch is a great pick. Made with organic cotton, wool and Talalay latex, it's hypoallergenic and free of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde.

Plus, it's sustainably sourced and offers enough firmness to keep side sleepers propped up all night long.

The best mattresses for side sleepers "create a little bubble to support the shoulders" and provide pressure point relief, Casey says.

When looking for a mattress, choose one that's made of high-density foam or has a soft topper, because those types of mattresses contour to your unique body shape and relieve pressure points.

Is foam or springs better for side sleepers? Well, this depends on the person's comfort needs. A hybrid is typically the more popular choice, but it all depends on how the mattress feels for you.

Do side sleepers need firm or soft mattresses?

For side sleepers, Casey recommends a medium-firm mattress because they strike a good balance between supportive and comfortable. However, it depends on your preference.

"Some side sleepers report loving very cushioned mattresses," she says.

If that is the case for you, utilize the free trial periods to see whether the mattress you chose feels right for you.

Part of figuring out what comfort level is best for side sleepers is picking a good pillow. Beyond the mattress, pillows are another affordable way to ensure you're getting some good shut-eye.

Choose one that is on the firmer side and at the right height to support your head and neck, Casey says. In other words, you want the height to be such that your spine is placed in a neutral position. "We don't want something that's too flat or too tall," as that can cause neck strain, she adds.