What Is the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers?

Sleeping on the side is one of the most common preferred sleep positions – without the proper plush-firm ratio, though, it can also be one of the most uncomfortable. For side sleepers, the hips, shoulders and even neck tend to bear the highest levels of pressure, and many side sleepers often feel like their joints are ‘digging’ into their mattress. Whether through memory foams, plush density levels or pillow tops, it is crucial that a mattress provide sufficient comfort and contour layers to help relax the joints and ease any painful pressure.

1. The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Supreme Breeze 2.0

What it is:

The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Supreme Breeze is constructed out of four layers for support and comfort: a heat-dispersing base layer, a TEMPUR foam support layer, a contouring TEMPUR-ES comfort layer and a cooling cover.

Why it works:

Side sleepers will appreciate the plush give of the TEMPUR-ES memory foam – the softest foam available from Tempur-Pedic – which works in conjunction with TEMPUR’s renowned support foam core to provide gentle contouring and durable support.

2. The iComfort Blue Max 1000 Plush

What it is:

The iComfort Blue Max 1000 Plush features the latest from Serta’s comfort and support technologies, including the TempActiv Max Gel Memory Foam, EverCool Supreme Memory Foam and Ultimate Edge Foam Support Core.

Why it works:

Enhanced with Serta’s ActivBalance Support Foam, the Ultimate Edge Foam Core is designed to adapt to your heaviest pressure points through innovative response technologies.

3. The r2 Plush

What it is:

The plushest mattress available from Revive, the r2 features Cool Bounce Copper Gel, CoolTouch GEL memory foam and Eco-Flex HD foam for both soft comfort and orthopedic support.

Why it works:

Revive’s uniquely dense system of Eco-Flex HD foam and copper gel manages to pack higher levels of support within the comfort foams – perfect for side sleepers who prefer a bit more firmness than a standard plush mattress.

Plush Comfort and Supportive Designs

If you sleep on your side and find yourself repeatedly tossing and turning throughout the night, it may be due to an old, sagging mattress – and time to look for a new one. (Seriously – continuing to sleep on a mattress that lacks supportive comfort could lead to irreversible orthopedic problems down the road!)

When choosing a new mattress, side sleepers should look for plush comfort levels and/or memory foam mattress types to ensure ample amounts of gentle cushioning for pressure relief – and help decrease the risks for joint strain and tension. However, support is also crucial for side sleepers; without proper support, even quality plush mattresses can quickly sag and lose shape – potentially wreaking havoc on the spine.

If you sleep on your side, one of the easiest ways to help identify which mattresses will work for best for you, besides trying them out in the store, is to look for keywords such as ‘gel foam,’ ‘climate control,’ and ‘open cell’ – which signify dense support, cooling technologies and breathable comfort, respectively.