Side sleepers are not uncommon. In fact, over 8700 respondents to our Good Housekeeping panel’s bedding survey said that 60% of them sleep on their sides. It’s not uncommon, but it is important to be careful when choosing a mattress. Pressure relief is important around your joints and shoulders. Your ultimate goal should be to align your spine so that your shoulders can sink slightly into the bed.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab reviews mattresses in every type of sleep position, material, and firmness preference. This includes memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses as well as boxed and boxed mattresses. The brands, features and styles of mattresses are researched by our fiber scientists. We then send the mattresses to consumer testers and product experts to see if they work in real life. Our tester panel included over 10,000 mattress owners who provided feedback.
Saatva Classic Mattress
Saatva, a well-known online brand that sells luxury mattresses at a more affordable price point, is popular. There are three levels of firmness available, with Plush Soft being the best for side sleepers. It uses soft foams to provide more support and flexibility for your body. If you don’t like the idea of going too soft, Luxury Firm is a good choice. You get free delivery, set-up, and removal of your old mattress. Plus, you have a 180-night trial that allows you to test the mattress at home so you can make sure you love it.
It’s made from The mattress is constructed like a luxury, traditional mattress. It has a pillowtop, a layer foam for pressure relief, and individual steel coils to support and allow airflow.
Notes from a tester Saatva mattresses received top marks in our survey, particularly for comfort and quality of sleep. Consumer testers noted that the mattress offers both support and comfort. After one year, the mattress did not show any signs of wear.
The Allswell Luxe Hybrid
This bed is the best under $1,000 mattress. It’s more affordable than the pricier models that cost twice as much. It has a medium firmness rating but the layers of foam at its top make it feel more like a plush mattress that molds to your pressure points when you lie sideways. There are many models available from the brand, including cheaper and more expensive ones. However, this model offers the most value for money and offers the most comfort for cradling.
It’s made up of A quilted top is placed over a 2-inch layer memory foam for pressure relief, and a 1-inch layer high-density foam to support it. For additional support, the bottom layer is made of coils to prevent foam from sinking too deeply.
Notes from a tester The mattress arrives in a box within days. It also scores well for easy ordering and set-up. The support and pressure relief provided by the mattress are also highly praised. Users have commented on how it molds to their bodies and that it doesn’t sink in the middle of the bed when they sleep on it. Testers were disappointed that the edges sank more than they had expected.
Original Tuft & Needle Mattress
This all-foam mattress-in-a box is affordable and ships within days for orders that are urgent. This mattress has a medium-firm rating, which is slightly firmer than the medium. It’s a great choice for those who prefer to sleep on their backs but don’t need a plush feeling.
It’s made up of two layers of foam The basic model has a firm foam base and a soft foam top to provide pressure relief.
Notes from a Tester Customers love the brand’s ease of use and comfort. They also appreciate the company’s friendly customer service. Side sleepers appreciated the all-foam design. One commenter said, “I don’t feel springs when I sleep on my back.” One complaint that testers noted was the lack of edge support. You may feel the edges sink when sitting on them or when getting into and out of bed.
Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress
For people suffering from back pain, doctors recommend that a mattress with medium firmness and memory foam be used. This provides the best combination of support and cushioning. Nolah’s model ticks all the boxes, with “Luxury Firm” being its medium. Real users swear it helped ease their pain.
It’s made up of The hybrid model is jam-packed with supportive coils, multiple layers of foam, and a fiber-fill pillowtop.
Tester notes, It has received glowing reviews from users who have experienced relief from back pain. One test subject raved about how the mattress relieved sciatic pain that used to plague her every morning. A pregnant mother also said that it helped her with hip pain during pregnancy.
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
Casper’s plushest mattress features an unique ergonomic layout that helps keep your spine aligned. It has contoured foam which gives you relief around your shoulders and more firmness at your lower back. It is soft but provides the support you need for side sleepers.
It’s made up of two layers of foam with small holes for airflow. The first layer is plush and the second is firmer at the middle. The zoned section is for ergonomic alignment. It’s a hybrid and has coils at its bottom.
Notes from a tester Although the model is a newer one for the brand, we don’t have long-term feedback. However, testers reported that it felt immediately comfortable and supportive. One tester said, “I like the way it conforms to me… It feels like I’m sinking into it, but it’s not too soft. Casper’s other models have been well-received by our panel for many years.