If you prefer side sleeping, look for a mattress that comfortably cradles your shoulders and hips – memory foam mattresses excel at this as well as providing proper spinal alignment.
For average-weight side sleepers, the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress provides cool sleeping while supporting pressure points. For heavier individuals, we suggest considering a firmer mattress like WinkBed.
Spinal Alignment
Back pain experienced after sleeping on a mattress is often the result of improper spinal alignment. Side sleepers in particular should look for mattresses that support both their hips and shoulders while maintaining relative spinal straightness without excessive bending – usually achieved through medium soft to medium firm feel mattresses; too soft mattresses allow hips and shoulders to sink in too easily compressing the spine, creating pressure points, while too firm mattresses push against wider body parts without providing support resulting in lack of relief from pain.
Memory foam or hybrid mattresses tend to be the ideal choice for side sleepers due to their ability to mold to their body while still providing enough support. Latex mattresses may also work well as long as they feature soft to medium firm firmness levels.
Proper pillow positioning is also crucial for side sleepers. Elevating the head and neck with a pillow can prevent misalignment of the upper spine, which could result in numbness in arms and hands. Ideal pillows for side sleeping feature medium to high loft that lift the head enough to reduce pressure on shoulders and necks.
A great pillow for side sleepers must also provide ample support, keeping the head aligned with spine alignment and fitting snugly around neck for additional support. Malouf Z pillow collection features several quality designs created specifically to meet these criteria for side sleeping.
For an ideal sleeping surface, look for mattresses that combine memory foam and pocketed coils. This combination allows sleepers to benefit from both cooling properties of memory foam as well as support and motion isolation provided by individually wrapped coils. Our tester Jaclyn was particularly taken by this combination and loved the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress for its comfort and support – it features medium firmness level that works for most side sleepers and zoned support in its coil layer layer to prevent spine sag while offering enough cushion for shoulders and hips cradling of shoulders and hips for optimal body relaxation.
Pressure Relief
Although side sleeping may feel natural or comfortable, this popular sleep position can put pressure on certain body parts like shoulders and hips that if unsupported can lead to misalignments of spine and morning aches. A mattress designed for side sleepers must cradle hips and shoulders while supporting the lower back for maximum support.
Soft mattresses tend to be better at relieving pressure points because they mold to your contours, giving support and relief from body weight and pressure points. But this doesn’t apply for every side sleeper; those weighing more may find too soft a mattress causes hips and shoulders to sink too deeply into bed, potentially disrupting spinal alignment and altering spinal alignment. Therefore, medium-firm mattresses offering yielding comfort as well as pressure relief would be suitable.
If your current mattress is too firm for your tastes, a mattress topper could provide extra padding that keeps hips and shoulders aligned while providing ample pressure relief. For instance, the Purple mattress was specifically designed with side sleepers in mind, providing targeted lumbar support as well as zoned foam that stops sagging of shoulders and hips during our tests.
Pillows can also help relieve shoulder pain while you sleep by keeping pressure off of the lower back. Place one between your knees to reduce lower back pressure and promote proper spinal alignment; place a fluffy one behind your head as an additional preventive measure against neck flexion while sleeping.
Memory foam mattresses are the optimal choice for side sleepers, providing ample cushioning of key pressure points in legs, hips and shoulders to promote healthy spine alignment while sleeping well. Selecting one will depend on a range of factors including age and weight considerations as well as any particular medical issues that need addressing as well as how often you tend to toss and turn.
Health Concerns
Ideally, side sleepers need a mattress that contours to their bodies and relieves pressure points to ensure a restful night’s rest and ease any health concerns like hip or shoulder pain. There are plenty of mattresses on the market which provide support and relief specifically designed to address side sleeping; there are even those designed specifically to do just that!
Side sleepers usually opt for medium firm mattresses as their ideal mattress option, as their balance of contouring and support prevents heavier parts of their bodies like hips and shoulders from sinking too deeply into the mattress surface and leading to spinal misalignment. Plus, these kinds of mattresses provide cushioning support to cushion against any potential morning aches or pains.
Pillow options that best accommodate side sleepers should include either a high-loft or medium-firm pillow with either an alignment aid (e.g. a higher-loft pillow for keeping the head and neck aligned) and/or support and comfort for their shoulders (medium-firm). When shopping, make sure the hypoallergenic labeled ones reduce risks that might trigger allergies and respiratory problems.
Helix Midnight Luxe stands out among side sleeper mattresses as one of the premier choices, featuring breathable layers designed to keep you cool through the night as well as TENCEL cover for breathability and great edge support for maximum comfort while resting on your side. However, this mattress may not be within budget for some budget shoppers.
The luxury-firm WinkBed mattress provides both comfort and support to side sleepers, with high-density memory foam contouring to your body and relieving pressure points for an improved night’s rest. Surrounded by durable coils for additional support, this combination allows this model to earn high marks in edge support, motion isolation, temperature regulation, breathability, temperature regulation and breathability tests.
Firmness
The ideal mattress for side sleepers must provide both soft cushioning for shoulders and hips as well as firm support to maintain proper spine alignment. Firmness preferences depend on individual body weight as well as mattress construction. Heavier people typically press deeper into mattresses than lighter individuals, creating disparate experiences on two beds of equal size and build.
Side sleepers generally benefit from selecting a medium-firm mattress. This firmness range allows their hips and shoulders to sink comfortably while still keeping their spine aligned and relieving any shoulder pain that may arise from lack of support or excessive pressure in these areas. Furthermore, any mattress must feature strong edge support to prevent rolling off of it during sleep or rolling into their partner.
Memory foam mattresses are considered some of the best mattresses for side sleepers as they offer excellent support while adapting to the curves of your body and providing exceptional pressure relief, helping reduce any associated aches or pains from sleeping on one’s side. Nectar Premier, Leesa Original and Layla Mattress all make excellent options in the memory foam category for side sleeping.
Latex mattresses can also provide good support and pressure relief, making them an attractive option for side sleepers who suffer from back pain, as they can ease tension in both the neck and lower back while relieving stress on hips and shoulders.
Hybrid mattresses feature a combination of memory foam, latex and innerspring springs to provide firmer yet more affordable all-foam mattresses. In addition, hybrid beds tend to be more breathable which may benefit couples sharing the mattress who tend to overheat more easily.
Although the Saatva Luxe may be an excellent alternative to memory foam mattresses, it should also be mentioned that their Nolah Evolution offers similar construction and performs similarly in tests for side sleepers – with excellent response, cooling and pressure relief performance as well as more bounce than an average mattress would allow – potentially making this choice the better one for some individuals who prefer an exuberant sleeping experience.
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