The Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers, After Testing 200+ Beds

There’s nothing quite like a Tempur-Pedic mattress. The foam is designed to adapt precisely to your body for tailored support and relief. It also cradles your hips and shoulders, helping promote neutral spinal alignment. And while it certainly comes at a higher price, this option is shipped straight to your door for a lower cost than the brand's other models with the same proprietary foam.

Tester notes: Several of our panelists described the unique feel as "cloud-like" and one even compared it to "sinking into a warm hug." Others highlighted its impact on their sleep quality, with some sharing that they couldn't feel their partners move or get up at all while lying on the bed.

Tempur-Pedic notes that the bed may feel firm when you first lie down, but our testers confirmed that it quickly molds to properly contour your body for personalized support. One tester commented, "I feel like my entire body is supported in a very gentle way."

Who it's best for: Side sleepers in search of precise pressure relief, couples who need motion isolation and those who want Tempur-Pedic's memory foam at a more affordable price point.

Who should avoid it: Those who prefer a firmer surface over the sinking-in feel of memory foam or those who need a taller bed.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud

This pick proves you don't need to spend an arm and a leg for comfort. It even outperformed pricier models more than twice the cost. Though it has an overall medium firmness rating, its layers of foam at the top make it feel plush, so it conforms to your pressure points as you lie on your side for cradling comfort.

Tester notes: This mattress ships to you in a box within days, and testers appreciated being able to set it up at their leisure. Several users praised its supportive and pressure-relieving feel with comments like, "I like that it forms to your body," and "I love that it is comfortable and doesn't sag in the middle when I sleep on it."

One panelist even compared it to a luxe hotel bed. The main complaint testers had was that the edges sunk down more than they expected.

Who it's best for: Price-conscious shoppers hoping to spend under $500 without sacrificing comfort. In our tests, this bed was favored by younger adults in their 20s.

Who should avoid it: Older users or those with limited mobility may find the edge support and DIY setup unideal.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Allswell Luxe Hybrid

If you're set on a classic mattress, Saatva makes one of the best innerspring mattresses you'll find. This model is the brand's most popular bed and comes in three firmness levels. The Plush Soft option is ideal for side sleepers because it uses softer foams for more flexibility to cradle your body. Our panelists and testers found it ran a bit firm, but many welcomed the supportive feel. It comes with free delivery, setup and old mattress removal, plus a 365-night trial so you can sleep on the mattress at home to make sure you love it. (If you don't like it, there's a $99 return pick-up fee.)

Tester notes: Our survey panelists gave Saatva mattresses top scores, especially for comfort and sleep quality. One consumer tester noted, "It offers a mixture of both support and comfort. The mattress has maintained its shape after one year with no indents."

Another user told us, "I like that it's soft and supportive. Other mattresses cause me back pain, but this one does not." Plus, many have highlighted its excellent edge support.

Who it's best for: Those in search of the breathability and support of a traditional innerspring mattress (plus free in-home setup) or those who prefer a solid feel.

Who should avoid it: Users who prefer the cradling feel of memory foam; this bed may feel too firm for their liking.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Saatva Classic Mattress

If you rely on Amazon for fast and free shipping, this all-foam bed-in-a-box is inexpensive and arrives within days. It has an overall medium-firm rating (i.e., slightly firmer than medium), so it's also an ideal choice if you sleep on your side yet don't want an overly plush feel.

Tester notes: Users noted that it's easy to set up and comfortable to sleep on, plus they said the brand's customer service is friendly and helpful. A few side sleepers said they appreciated its all-foam design. "I don’t feel the springs of a traditional mattress when I sleep on my side," said one owner.

Another user who's owned the mattress for over five years said, "My Tuft & Needle mattress is so much more comfortable than any mattress I've ever had in the past. My husband and I both experience much less back pain." The one callout from testers is the lack of edge support.

Who it's best for: Shoppers who need a mattress sooner rather than later and side sleepers who prefer all-foam mattresses with a little more support.

Who should avoid it: Those who prefer cushiony memory foam or who need extra edge support.

For proper neutral spinal alignment, softer mattresses are often recommended for side sleepers to avoid putting any additional stress on your shoulders, hips or knees. This pick from Puffy combines foam and coils to provide a comfortable, plush feel that's supportive without any sinking or sagging, according to our testers.

Puffy has updated this mattress a few times in recent years. The main highlight of the newest iteration is that there's improved support, particularly around the edges.

Testing notes: Many users said that the hybrid model delivered both cloud-like comfort and support, highlighting how the cushioning foam conformed to their bodies without sinking in or leaving indents. One panelist told us, "I don’t wake with any soreness with the Puffy, yet I feel supported."

Our testers agreed, and one said, "It's not too hard and not too soft," while another noted, "I am able to sleep more deeply on it." The main caveat is that, despite the brand's cooling technology, some users commented that they still found themselves overheating at night.

Who it's best for: Side sleepers and back pain sufferers who want a cushy, pressure-relieving mattress.

Who should avoid it: Side sleepers who prefer a little extra firmness and hot sleepers looking for a cool mattress.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Puffy's Luxe Hybrid

Good Housekeeping readers can take an additional $50 off their Nolah mattress purchases with code GH50 through 3/17.

Doctors often recommend mattresses with a medium level of firmness made with pressure-relieving material for a balance of cradling comfort and support for neutral spinal alignment. This pick from Nolah checks off all the boxes, and our panelists and testers reported that it eased their discomfort, helping alleviate both lower back and hip pain.

Tester notes: Those with shoulder, hip and back pain and sciatica shared that Nolah's responsive foam truly makes a difference. One panelist told us this mattress "has been significantly helpful in relieving back pain for my husband, who has scoliosis" and noted that it "offers back support while still cradling pressure points." Others who have owned the bed for over four years highlighted how well it's held up.

A few shared that the mattress took some time to adjust to. One tester said, "Although I was experiencing far less back, shoulder and neck pain from this mattress, it still took a few days for me to get used to." Note that the 10-inch depth may be a bit low for those with trouble getting in and out of bed, but Nolah offers taller models with the same foam.

Who it's best for: Side sleepers with back and hip pain who need pressure relief and alignment.

Who should avoid it: Those who prefer a taller mattress, especially for getting in and out of bed or want a truly plush feel.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Nolah Original 10”

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: Good Housekeeping readers can take 35% off their order and receive two free pillows with code GH35.

Hybrid mattresses are known for combining cushiony foam with coils for a balance of comfort and support, and this one from Bear is one of the most comfortable beds we've ever tested. It's designed with zonal support, meaning it provides precise cushioning around targeted areas like the hips and back to promote spinal alignment.

Tester notes: The mattress's ergonomic design truly pays off: It's earned top scores across the board from our testers who said it's pressure-relieving yet notably supportive. One commented, "It feels like my entire body is being supported, regardless of my position." Another even called it the "most comfortable mattress" she has ever slept on.

And while it's a newer release, it has impressed our experts and testers alike who've described it as "nothing short of amazing." Still, Bear makes some claims about using natural minerals to promote recovery that we weren't able to verify in our evaluation.

Who it's best for: Those suffering from back pain and anyone who has struggled to find a truly comfortable mattress. The plush iteration is ideal for many true side sleepers while combination sleepers will appreciate the medium firmness.

Who should avoid it: Those who prefer an all-foam mattress (no springs) or a traditional innerspring; it's a classic hybrid.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Bear Elite Hybrid

For a pressure-relieving mattress that doesn't feel too plush, Purple uses a unique grid-shaped elastic that feels cushioning yet firm with excellent breathability. This means you get the pressure relief you need as a side sleeper without sacrificing support or worrying that you'll easily overheat at night. Plus, the brand's signature GelFlex Grid provides great motion isolation, making it a solid choice for couples.

Tester notes: Members of our panel described the bed as the perfect combination of soft and firm with one saying, "It's 'springy' and conforms to my body while still being supportive." Several described the unique material as providing a "sleeping on air" feeling and compared it to "floating."

Reviewers even gave great scores for the motion isolation and commented on the noticeable breathability. One told us it felt "too cold" in the winter. Still, several users reported that the delivery took longer than expected.

Who it's best for: Hot sleepers in search of a more breathable mattress, couples looking for motion isolation and anyone who wants to try something new.

Who should avoid it: Cold sleepers or anyone who prefers a tall mattress (this is our shortest pick at 9.25 inches). Those who prefer to use a mattress pad or topper also won't feel the grid's cooling effects or unique feel.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Purple Mattress

This mattress proves you don't have to sacrifice performance to go green: It uses resilient, certified organic latex over coils for a bouncy feel that contours to your body without sinking in. The standard model is on the firmer side, so we recommend the medium pillow-top style (which costs extra) for side sleepers. Plus, the brand has a very generous 365-day trial period.

Tester notes: Users told us they loved sleeping on this mattress and praised the bed for keeping their body weight evenly distributed. One highlighted her experience by saying, "I like that it's made of organic and natural materials, that it's extremely comfortable and that it's held up even after two years."

With top scores across the board, it's no surprise that the mattress has impressed with its quality materials and construction. Plus, the brand's commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality without compromising on comfort or quality is commendable.

Who it's best for: Side and stomach combination sleepers and couples alike and eco-conscious consumers who prefer organic latex to memory foam.

Who should avoid it: Anyone who prefers a softer, more cushiony feel. Latex feels more springy than cradling.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Avocado Green Mattress