Best mattresses for side sleepers in 2024
If you're a side sleeper, you're in luck, as this sleeping position is often recommended as best for your health. As Presidents' Day arrives -- with deep discounts popping up on mattresses like the Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress by Saatva ($300 off!) -- you deserve nothing but the absolute best mattress at the end of the night, so what kind of mattress should you sleep on?
We asked our experts to weigh in.
"Side sleepers should look for a mattress that provides good support while alleviating pressure on the hips and shoulders," board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Krishna Satyan told CBS Essentials, "and also should look for a mattress that prevents a lot of motion during sleep."
Allow us to be your dedicated mattress advisor. Ahead, more information on what mattress type and features are best for side sleepers, plus models you can order online now for this sleeping position.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
Here's a quick look at the best mattresses for side sleepers.
- Customizable: Saatva Classic mattress
- Great for those who share a bed: Tuft & Needle Mint mattress
- Most affordable: Sweetnight mattress
- Great for hot sleepers: Serta Arctic Premier mattress
- Generous trial period: The Nectar Sleep Premier mattress
- Best memory foam: The Casper mattress
- Personalized: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress
Find the best mattress type for you from Saatva, Tuft & Needle and more brands for this sleeping position. Prices are listed for queen models in this mattress buying guide, but all come in multiple sizes.
Customizable: Saatva Classic mattress
Licensed clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist Dr. Kristen Casey told CBS Essentials that this top-rated Saatva mattress is not only comfortable but also "may reduce shoulder or neck pain."
You can select the mattress firmness you would like in this model, so it's easy to find an option to support side sleepers and more. It's available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king and split California king sizes.
Typically available for $1,995, this mattress is currently marked down to $1,695 thanks to a Presidents' Day sale.
Best for:
- Side sleepers (obviously)
- Shoulder or neck pain
Great for those who share a bed: Tuft & Needle Mint mattress
Tuft & Needle says this is the right mattress for back and side sleepers, as well as those who share a bed. The mattress is topped with adaptive foam to reduce motion transfer and provide pressure relief. Its reinforced support edges help you get in and out of bed without disturbing your partner.
This mattress features a removable, washable cover. It's available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king sizes.
Best for:
- Those who share a bed
- Back and side sleepers
Most affordable: Sweetnight mattress in a box
This memory foam mattress is touted as sag-resistent. The bedroom essential is constructed with individually wrapped innersprings and features gel memory foam for support and pressure relief. The medium-firm feeling mattress is available in full, queen and king sizes.
This budget-friendly mattress is currently marked down from its original price ($503), but even that is more affordable than any of our other picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Best for:
- Buyers on a budget
- Side sleepers
Great for hot sleepers: Serta Arctic Premier mattress
The Serta Arctic memory foam mattress delivers all-night cooling relief. Serta's Reactex System disperses heat away from the body, resulting in a bed with 15 times better cooling power than any other Serta mattress.
It's available as a foam or hybrid mattress, using Serta's CustomFit HD memory foam and EverCool Fuze Gel memory foam materials. This mattress for the hot sleeper is available in twin XL, queen, king and California king sizes.
This cool and refreshing mattress is currently marked down from its original price of $3,899.
Best for:
- Hot sleepers
- Side sleepers
Generous trial period: The Nectar Sleep Premier mattress
Nectar Sleep's most popular mattress, the Nectar Sleep Premier, is its best mattress for a hot sleeper.
The mattress is made with Nectar's dual-action cooling technology, which reacts to your body's temperature to help you sleep cool. It can be ordered as a memory foam mattress or as a hybrid mattress for an added cost. This Nectar mattress is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king and California king sizes.
Regularly sold for $1,499, this cool mattress is currently marked down by more than 35%. Don't wait to buy and miss out on an impressive bit of savings -- after the first night's sleep on this mattress, your future self will thank you.
Best for:
- People who like to try before they buy
- Side sleepers
Best memory foam: The Casper mattress
This new option is Casper's most affordable mattress yet. Inspired by the original Casper mattress, this bedroom must-have features layers of Casper's signature foam and premium memory foam, as well as the brand's AirScape Technology to help ease pressure, help you stay cool through the night and provide long-lasting support.
It's the classic Casper experience you love, only at a better price. This mattress for the hot sleeper available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king sizes.
Best for:
- Side sleepers
- Hot sleepers
Personalized: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress
This mattress is customizable for your most comfortable sleep. Choose from a medium-firm classic mattress, or a medium-firm hybrid mattress. Both offer motion isolation, so your partner's movements won't disturb you. This mattress adapts to your body weight and shape for maximum comfort.
Best for:
- Those sharing a bed
- Side sleepers
What mattress features should side sleepers look for?
"Side sleepers often benefit from mattresses that offer excellent pressure relief and contouring to alleviate stress on the shoulders and hips," board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah told CBS Essentials. "Memory foam mattresses are known for their ability to conform to the body's curves, providing targeted support and reducing pressure points. Hybrid mattresses with a softer comfort layer can also offer a good balance of support and cushioning for side sleepers."
How we chose these mattresses
When picking the best mattresses for side sleepers, we considered:
- Customer reviews: We combed through verified customer reviews -- in other words, real buyers -- to ensure they were consistently pleased with these brands and models.
- Expert recommendations: We spoke with board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah, licensed clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist Dr. Kristen Casey and board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Krishna Satyan for their thoughts on mattresses.
- Star rating: All of these products have a four-star rating or higher.
- Your needs: We picked mattresses for a variety of budgets and needs, such as affordability, durability and more.
