Best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder and hip pain
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Many people are side sleepers. When you sleep on your side, you need a softer mattress to give pressure relief to your shoulders, back and hips but firm enough to offer spine alignment. This can be found in a variety of mattresses from memory foam, innerspring and hybrid beds.
CNET’s sleep team has tested more than 100 beds to find the best mattresses for side sleepers, so take a look. And if you don’t see something that grabs you, check out our overall list of the best mattresses of 2024.
What’s the best overall mattress for side sleepers?
We tested more than two dozen models to find the best mattress for side sleepers.
My fellow mattress testers and I slept on more than two dozen models to find the best mattress for side sleepers, and here are our findings. We update this side sleeper mattress review list periodically as we test new products.
The beds chosen below were top-rated among the editors during testing. We analyzed everything from firmness, feel, motion isolation, edge support and temperature. We also take overall comfort, versatility and special features into account. After testing we found the Layla Hybrid mattress to be the best mattress for side sleepers, but there were plenty of other beds that also stood out as good picks.
Prices listed are for queen sizes, although they frequently change.
Video: Best mattress for side sleepers
Watch CNET Video Producer Owen Poole review the best mattress for side sleepers.
Best mattresses for side sleepers in 2024
Our take – Unlike a majority of mattresses on the market, you can sleep on either side of the Layla Hybrid mattress. It has a soft and airy memory foam feel that’s almost like cotton candy. Side sleepers will love the soft mattress side, and the firm side accommodates all sleeping positions.
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Type
flippable hybrid mattress
Firmness
Medium to medium firm: (6)
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
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Type
mixed foam hybrid mattress
Firmness
5 or medium (for heavier folks)
Warranty
lifetime warranty
Our take – The Amerisleep AS5 mattress appeals to a true memory foam mattress fanatic who loves an extra plush feel; it has dense, slow-responding foam that envelopes your body, making you feel like you’re getting a big hug from your mattress. The cover is also machine washable and infused with a performance and sleep-boosting fabric that is supposed to promote better sleep and make you feel more energized when you wake up.
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Type
memory foam mattress
Warranty
20-year limited warranty
Our take – For side sleepers looking for a safe, comfortable soft mattress, the Helix Sunset is a great choice. It has a simple hybrid mattress design that combines pocketed coils with reinforced edges for stronger edge support and two layers of comfort foams that feel soft, airy and plush.
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Warranty
15-year limited warranty
Our take – It somehow manages to be soft and firm and the same time, giving your hip and shoulder the pressure relief they need along with ample support. Its gel-like comfort layer gives nicely underneath your pressure points and also helps you sleep cooler.
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Type
hyper-elastic polymer mattress
Warranty
10-year warranty
Our take – Many brands use marketing language that claims to have a cooling mattress, but only a handful of those claims turn out to be true. Enter Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Lux. It’s a thick hybrid mattress designed with multiple avenues of cooling tech and a plush, cozy feel perfect for side sleepers. You also can choose between multiple firmness levels.
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Firmness
Soft: (3) Medium: (5) Medium firm: (7)
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Our take – It’s ideal for people who weigh under 230 pounds and want an affordable foam mattress that isn’t going to break the bank. This bed feels like neutral foam with traces of memory foam underneath, but it’s quicker to respond to pressure than your typical memory foam mattress.
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Warranty
lifetime warranty
Our take – Side sleepers with back pain need a softer mattress that delivers enough support to keep the spine aligned. The Lessa Legend Hybrid mattress does just that with its medium-soft to medium firmness, offering plenty of pressure relief to ensure the shoulders, hips and knees don’t develop pressure points. The zoned support design and two-layer coil system make it an excellent choice for those with back pain.
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Type
soft hybrid mattress
Firmness
medium to medium-soft or 4 to 5
Warranty
10-year warranty
The beds on the list were among some of the best we came across for side sleepers, but several mattresses also stood out and deserve some of the spotlight.
- WinkBed mattress: The luxurious and Pinterest-perfect WinkBed mattress comes in three firmness levels, and the soft model would be a perfect fit for side sleepers looking for a plush, supportive hybrid mattress. The WinkBed is made with several layers of comfy foam, strong pocketed coils and a fluffy pillow top that makes it look as good as it feels. I think side sleepers of all body types would enjoy the WinkBed.
- Original Layla mattress: We mentioned the Layla Hybrid on this list, but if you want to save some money and are willing to give up the pocketed coil base layer, then the Original foam Layla mattress is a great option. It’s also flippable and features one very plush and soft side perfect for side sleepers. This Layla mattress is going to suit sleepers under 230 pounds better because it’s not as supportive as the Hybrid model.
The CNET Sleep editors have tested more beds than the average sleeper. Around 200 different ones, in fact, and we’ve dedicated hundreds of hours to the craft. The main consideration we take into account when we look for the best mattress for side sleepers is firmness and the amount of pressure relief a mattress offers. When testing mattresses, we lay in each sleeping position (including side) and determine how well they accommodate our primary pressure points. When we’re on our side, it’s crucial our hips and joints feel properly cradled. If a bed’s too firm, it can press into your pressure points and cause soreness or pain.
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read more on how we test mattresses.
The qualities that side sleepers want in a mattress are different from stomach or back sleepers. Here are the main features to keep an eye out for if you favor your side when you sleep.
Soft beds are typically best for side sleepers because they provide more contour underneath shoulder and hip pressure points.
- Pressure relief: As we’ve touched on in this best list already, the best mattresses for side sleepers cradle the hip and shoulders to provide optimal pressure relief. That’s why soft mattresses tend to be the best. They give under your weight, allowing the foam to mold around your shoulders and hips.
- Firmness: Soft mattresses are typically more pressure-relieving than firm ones. If you had a firm mattress, it would press into your hips and shoulders, throwing off the alignment of your spine with your neck. This is a recipe for back pain.
- Weight: Keep in mind that the heavier you are, the softer a mattress is going to feel. Heavier sleepers over 230 pounds can afford to get a firmer mattress because it’ll feel a notch softer than what’s advertised. The same rule applies in reverse to petite sleepers under 150 pounds. Smaller side sleepers may want an extra-soft mattress so it doesn’t feel too firm.
- Health concerns: If you suffer from back pain, hip pain or joint pain, it’s important to consider that when choosing a mattress. People with back pain may want a side sleeper bed that offers a balance of pressure relief and support, like the Purple, which lands at a medium on the firmness scale. If you suffer from hip or shoulder pain, a softer mattress that will take the pressure off your joints will usually fare better than a firm bed.
Besides being comfortable, there are also countless health benefits to side sleeping as well. Helping reduce the risk of sleep apnea, improving the health of your brain and even improving gut health and function are included among the benefits of sleeping on your side. The best mattress for side sleepers can improve your comfort while you get a good night’s sleep.
It’s also recommended to sleep on your side during pregnancy. It promotes better quality sleep by keeping pressure off your belly, and sleeping on the left side promotes ample blood flow from the inferior vena cava. This is a crucial vein that pumps blood through your heart and also your baby.
Sleeping on your side can have some adverse effects if you’re not using the right mattress. It can put undue pressure on your shoulders and hips and lead to joint pain and discomfort.
Use the right pillow
A pillow can make or break your sleeping experience, especially for a side sleeper. Side sleepers need tall, lofty pillows that properly support the head and cervical spine. A flat pillow causes the head and neck to bend out of alignment with the spine, which can promote pain.
Add more cushion
If you need it, utilize pillows for some extra padding and support where you may need it most. Keep a soft and fluffy pillow between your knees to relieve pressure on your back and promote better alignment. You can also keep a pillow under the armpit if you live with shoulder pain for added pressure relief.
Consider a mattress topper
If your mattress is too firm but hasn’t yet reached its expiration date, use a mattress topper to make it softer without having to buy a whole new bed. Mattress toppers can change the entire firmness profile of your bed, so side sleepers should look for a soft and plush topper.
Memory foam is one of the best types of mattresses for side sleepers. It contours to your body shape, relieving pressure points and keeping your spinal alignment when you’re lying on your side. Side sleepers should also consider a soft mattress because it provides pressure relief to your shoulder and hip joints.
There’s not a single right answer to this question, but in general, side sleepers tend to prefer a soft to medium mattress. Mattresses in this range have enough give to alleviate pressure in the shoulders, hips and knees when you’re sleeping on your side, but also hold their shape to keep your spinal alignment so you don’t wake up in pain.
Yes. Memory foam is known for its pressure-relieving properties and nestles the curves of your body. When you sleep on your side, memory foam gently hugs your shoulder and hip joints.
Firm mattresses can be bad for side sleepers, especially ones under 150 pounds. If your mattress firmness is too hard, it might not have enough give and cushioning for your pressure points. Lack of pressure relief can disrupt your sleep and cause pain and even numbness and tingling in your extremities. Ultimately, a lot comes down to personal preference and how you feel when sleeping on the mattresses, but most side sleepers do best with medium or softer mattress options.
