Side sleepers do best with a soft to medium mattress because of the small surface area pressing down on the mattress. This puts pressure on joints and limbs, releasing a softer comfort layer of joint tension.
A softer comfort layer is guaranteed with a pillowtop mattress, or you can go for anything with a thick top layer of memory foam.
A firm mattress won't compress enough for side sleepers, making sleeping difficult and sometimes painful. If you sleep on your side and wake up with aches and pains, there's a good chance that your mattress is too firm!
As a side sleeper, you can also move the firmness scale from soft to medium-soft, medium-soft to medium, and medium to medium-firm. This scale will help you satisfy your sleep while balancing your partner's needs.
Side sleepers put a lot of pressure on their shoulders, hips, and lower back, so it's important to choose a mattress that provides adequate support and pressure relief. Here are some of the best mattresses for side sleepers:
If there was one mattress for side sleepers to rule them all, this is it. The Sleepeezee Jessica is encapsulated in foam, with 3cm of memory foam, 30mm of super-soft foam, and 60mm of Staycool gel to dissipate heat and keep you cool in summer.
This mattress delivers support with 1,800 zoned pocket springs that adjust to your body weight. The medium feels balanced support and cushioning, and the knitted, micro-quilted cover is plush.
Giltedge Beds Platinum 2000 (medium)
Mattress type: Hybrid pillowtop
Price: £409 for a small double, £469 for a king.
Mattresses For Side Sleepers
The Giltedge Beds Platinum 2000 offers incredible value for money. This hybrid pillowtop mattress has 2,000 pocket springs and 70mm memory foam. The pillow top is filled with soft foam, so your body squishes into it.
Despite its low price, the Platinum 2000 has a luxurious fit and finish with a knitted mattress outer fabric and a micro-quilted surface. The pocket springs are zoned and have edge-to-edge coverage, letting you sleep on your side everywhere.
Birlea Bliss (medium)
Mattress type: Hybrid pillowtop
Price: £539 for a small double, £599 for a king.
Mattresses For Side Sleepers
This mattress is a great all-rounder. The Birlea Bliss is a hybrid pillowtop mattress with 800 pocket springs for support and three layers of foam, including a 2cm memory foam comfort layer to relieve pressure on your joints.
The pillowtop is an extra layer of soft padding that enhances comfort, and the pocket springs are evenly distributed edge-to-edge to support your body. Sleeping on your side is a dream with this mattress!
Silentnight Geltex 1000 (medium-soft)
Mattress type: Cooling hybrid memory foam
Price: £539 for a small double, £649 for a king.
Mattresses For Side Sleepers
Another fantastic medium-soft mattress is the Silentnight Geltex 1000, which has Silentnight's Mirapocket spring system, 40mm of memory foam, and 4cm of Geltex. This cooling layer dissipates heat, so you don't sweat.
Sleeping on this mattress is a dream. The Mirapocket springs deliver fantastic support while the generous memory and support foam layers compress under load. It's ideal for divans and ottomans because it has no rim overhang.
Summing up
Side sleepers need lots of cushioning without sacrificing support. The Sleepeezee Jessica is an outstanding choice, but a pillowtop mattress like the Giltedge Beds Platinum 2000 is solid if your budget doesn't stretch to it.
If you weigh less than 160 lbs, go for a medium-soft mattress. We choose the Silentnight Geltex 1000 because it keeps you cool in summer.
These are just a few of the many great mattresses for side sleepers. When choosing a mattress, it's important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Be sure to try out a few different mattresses before making a decision.
Here are some additional tips for choosing a mattress for side sleepers:
Look for a mattress that is soft enough to cradle your curves, but firm enough to provide support.
Pay attention to the mattress's pressure relief features.
