Side sleepers require a mattress with soft enough padding to comfortably cushion their hips and shoulders while remaining firm enough to maintain proper spinal alignment. The ideal firmness level for side sleeping would lie somewhere in between these extremes – something like Goldilocks would suggest.
Memory foam mattresses provide curve-hugging support, but for those who prefer the feel of coil beds we have also included hybrid options in this selection.
1. Saatva Classic
Saatva offers three firmness levels to create the ideal innerspring mattress experience, perfect for side sleepers of various weight categories. The Luxury Firm option can provide excellent shoulder and hip support without overly contouring or creating pressure points; Plush Soft may provide less supportiveness but could serve light or average weight side sleepers who desire extra cushioning around joints.
In our lab tests, the Classic did a superb job keeping back and stomach sleepers in an ideal sleeping position while offering ample support to side and combo sleepers. Furthermore, its pressure relief features promote healthy spinal alignment throughout the night – an attractive feature for anyone suffering from arthritis or joint issues.
Saatva’s Lumbar Zone technology adds an extra layer of support in the center of their mattress for stomach sleepers, and helps maintain neutral spine alignment for back sleepers as well. All American-made in the company’s factories using organic cotton that reduces off-gassing while keeping sleep surfaces cool and fresh.
As with other top mattresses online, the Classic comes complete with free white-glove delivery and a generous 365-night trial period, as well as lifetime warranty protection. Saatva also provides financing solutions for this and several other models like their Loom & Leaf mattress.
Although the Saatva Classic mattress is suitable for most side sleepers, it may not be the optimal choice for everyone. If you prefer firmer mattresses, consider the Saatva HD which can support up to 500 pounds per side or the flippable Zenhaven which has both Plush Soft and Gentle Firm sides backed by top orthopedic doctors – not to mention being top rated among people suffering chronic back pain – though both options tend to cost more. Financing options might also be available.
2. Nolah Signature 12
The Nolah Signature 12 mattress is a premium version of its original Nolah mattress designed specifically to address side sleeping needs. With its medium soft feel and pressure relief test performance, this no-fuss model should help alleviate hip and shoulder discomfort while offering excellent back pain relief.
Nolah Airfoam provides a superior sleep surface for people who overheat when sleeping on traditional memory foam beds, with its responsiveness score of 9.5 out of 10, offering rapid adaptability to movements during the night and offering superior durability – Nolah offers a lifetime warranty with this bed!
This bed is an ideal option for those experiencing back or neck pain, offering exceptional pressure relief in both hips and shoulders while conforming to the spine. However, its medium-soft feel may not suit stomach sleepers who require firmer support to ensure their hips stay up against their shoulders and in line with them.
The Nolah Signature’s foundation layer features seven inches of high-density foam, providing ample support to prevent sagging over time and counterbalance the upper layers’ contouring and plushness. Additionally, this dense foam is great for those suffering from back or joint pain as it keeps you from sinking too deeply into the mattress and creating pressure points in your joints.
Nolah mattresses offer unsurpassed comfort and support with 1.5 inches of its proprietary foam, designed to be even more resilient against sagging than latex but still maintain their signature healthy bounce.
Nolah Sleep describes itself as offering “tomorrow’s mattress today,” making them an exciting brand to keep an eye on. Based in Denver and designed and made entirely in America, Nolah is using cutting-edge sleep technologies in their USA-designed and manufactured mattresses – disrupting 40 year old memory foam industry by offering air-filled technology which provides four times more pressure relief while sleeping cooler than traditional memory foam.
3. Sealy Posturepedic
The Sealy Posturepedic is an innerspring mattress of superior quality from Sealy. Established in 1881 in Sealy, Texas, Sealy has since developed numerous innovative sleep products which have become industry leaders – and one such line of mattresses, called Posturepedic mattresses are immensely popular and well-recognized – offering comfort and support to people of all ages.
Sealy Posturepedic’s business is focused on offering quality mattresses at a great value and with exceptional customer service. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies to craft durable yet comfortable mattresses at an affordable price point. Their selection includes both innerspring and hybrid models to meet all sleeping requirements.
For side sleepers, the Sealy Posturepedic provides an optimal blend of comfort and support. Its top layers offer ample pressure relief while its coil layer adds strength and stability – this mattress works especially well for back and side sleeping positions, though many other sleeping positions may benefit as well.
At the core of every mattress lies Sealy’s moisture-wicking Surface Guard technology for cooling and cleanliness, along with twice-applied SealyChill foam to help regulate body temperature.
As you move towards the bottom of your mattress, you will find a layer of Sealy’s ComfortSense gel memory foam, which features slow response time to pressure. It provides excellent contouring capabilities while relieving pressure points. Next up comes a dense layer of SealySupport gel foam as a transitional material before reaching the coil layer underneath.
Sealy Response Pro encased coils offer classic bouncy support. DuraFlex foam adds edge support and increases durability to complete this layering system.
Overall, the Sealy Posturepedic ranks medium firm on our firmness scale, making it suitable for back and side sleepers while possibly too soft for stomach sleepers. Therefore, it is crucial that you try it for yourself to determine whether it fits with your sleeping preferences; visit one of the Mattress Express stores near you and talk with a sleep specialist who can assist in selecting an ideal mattress to meet those needs.
4. Helix Midnight Luxe
Helix Midnight Luxe is Helix’s flagship mattress that takes their careful upgrades even further. Measuring 16 inches, this mattress features a 2-inch plush pillow top and dual micro coil comfort layers for ultimate sleep comfort.
Helix mattresses are hybrid mattresses, featuring poly foam and springs to offer support to side sleepers while providing enough cradling and pressure relief without jeopardizing spinal alignment while sleeping. Our firmness scale rates the Helix Midnight Luxe medium firm; making it the perfect option for side sleeping.
Helix Midnight Luxe features premium memory foam layers designed to support side sleeping positions, so as to reduce any painful pressure build-up. Furthermore, Helix designed their Midnight Luxe mattress with zoned lumbar support in order to keep the back and spine properly aligned throughout the night.
Helix mattress earned a score of 9 out of 10, making it an excellent option for anyone suffering from back pain or discomfort. Furthermore, edge support ratings of 8/10 show its worthiness for sleepers who like sitting up or lying down near the edge.
Helix Midnight Luxe’s motion isolation test scores well, making it an excellent option for couples that share a bed and are both susceptible to tossing and turning in the night. We conducted tests of motion transfer by dropping 15lb weights at 4, 10, and 25 inches away from the mattress – we then recorded how much of each movement occurred – with Helix Midnight Luxe absorbing most of these movements so as to not disrupt your partner’s restful slumber.
Helix offers a 100-night trial period during which you can return your bed free of charge, plus Helix donates gently used mattresses to charity for added good deed. Some reviewers have found Helix mattresses too soft; however, Helix customer service has been praised by these reviewers for helping facilitate an exchange for firmer mattress or providing them with a mattress topper option.
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