The Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

 

If you find yourself having trouble sleeping and waking up in pain, then you might want to reevaluate the type of mattress you are sleeping on based on your main sleeping position. If you are a side sleeper, then you'll want to consider a few things when shopping for a new mattress, such as firmness level. 

Side sleeping is the most common sleep position and offers the most health benefits, including reduced back pain, better digestion, and improved breathing throughout the night. The best mattress for side sleepers provides the support needed for your back, knees, shoulders, and neck. 

Let’s walk through what side sleepers really need in a new mattress, and which ones at Bedzzz Express deliver the kind of comfort that actually helps you wake up feeling good.

 

 

Benefits of Sleeping on Your Side

Yes! In fact, it’s one of the healthiest positions overall. Side sleeping can:

• Improve breathing and reduce snoring

• Promote spinal alignment and ease back pain (with the right mattress!)

• Aid digestion, especially if you sleep on your left side

• Reduce heartburn and acid reflux

That said, how you side sleep matters too. Try placing a pillow between your knees to keep your hips aligned, and make sure your pillow isn’t too high or low; it should keep your neck level with your spine.

 

 

What Mattress Type Is Best for Side Sleepers?

Side sleepers need something a little different from the average mattress. The goal? Pressure relief, spinal alignment, and just the right mix of cushion and support.

Here’s what works best:

• Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses mold to your body and cushion the shoulders and hips.

• Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses offer the support of coils with the comfort of foam—great if you want pressure relief without sinking too far in.

What to avoid? Extra firm mattresses or ones that feel like a slab of concrete. These can throw your spine out of alignment and put pressure on your joints.

 

 

What Firmness Level Do Side Sleepers Need?

Let’s debunk the myth: firm doesn’t always mean better. Side sleepers generally do best with a medium mattress or a soft mattress. Soft and medium mattresses cushion your shoulders and hips, and these are two key pressure zones that can get sore if the mattress is too hard.

A mattress that’s too firm may cause your body to shift out of alignment, while something too soft won’t give your spine the support it needs. You want that Goldilocks zone: just right.

 

Best Mattress For Side Sleepers

Whether you’re team memory foam or like a little more bounce, these are some of our top picks sold right here at Bedzzz Express.

 

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt Mattress

Why side sleepers love it:

• Cozy TEMPUR® material that adapts to every movement

• Motion isolation, so you barely feel your partner move

• Advanced cooling cover keeps things chill

• Available in Soft, Medium, and Medium Hybrid to fit your style

• Model: 10749161

This one’s like sleeping on a supportive cloud. If you wake up feeling sore or stiff, especially in the upper body, the TEMPUR-ProAdapt is a game changer.

🔗 Browse Tempur-Pedic Mattresses

 

Stearns & Foster Reserve Euro Pillow Top Mattress

Why side sleepers love it:

• Soft, plush feel with responsive innerspring support

• Feels cool the moment you lie down, thanks to enhanced cooling fibers and sustainably sourced TENCEL®

• Layers designed by the Tempur-Pedic® team for total body pressure relief

• Offers a “weightless” feel with precision support for hips and shoulders

• Model: 53010051

This mattress is hard to beat if you want that classic luxury hotel vibe with next-level pressure relief. It’s supportive but soft in all the right places, which is perfect for side sleepers who want to feel cradled, not compressed.

🔗 Browse Stearns & Foster Mattresses

 

Sealy Posturepedic Plus St. Claire Euro Pillow Top Mattress

Why side sleepers love it:

• PrecisionFit™ coils flex and respond to your body’s shape for targeted pressure relief

• Reduces motion transfer—ideal if your partner tosses and turns

• MoistureProtect™ cover helps wick away sweat and keep you cool

• Reinforced DuraFlex™ coil edge offers strong support and works great with adjustable bases

• Model: 53199451

If you wake up with nagging shoulder or hip aches, this one’s a winner. It’s soft and cozy on top, but the targeted support underneath keeps your spine in alignment, which is exactly what side sleepers need.

🔗 Browse Sealy Mattresses

 

 

Find Your Side Sleep Sweet Spot at Bedzzz Express

If you’re a side sleeper, investing in the right mattress can change everything—from how you sleep to how you feel all day long. 

Visit one of our mattress store locations in Alabama or Georgia, or contact us to test out mattresses that are ideal for side sleeping. Check out our top mattress brands for more options. Our sleep experts are here to answer questions and help you find the perfect fit for your ideal sleeping position.

With our 3-year exchange policy and 2-year extended warranty, you can shop confidently, knowing you're covered long after your purchase. We also offer other bedding accessories, like mattress toppers, bed sheets, and pillows, to enhance your sleep experience even further. We also offer special financing and lease-to-own options, giving you the opportunity to pay monthly for your mattress.

Shop our mattresses at Bedzzz Express today!

Related readings from our blog:

• The Ultimate Mattress Type Guide

• Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers

• Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers

 

FAQ: Questions About Mattresses for Side Sleepers

1. Why is sleeping on your side better than your back?
Side sleeping can help reduce snoring, ease lower back pain, and improve digestion. It also promotes better spinal alignment, especially when paired with the right mattress and pillow. Back sleeping, while also healthy for some, can lead to airway obstruction or exacerbate lower back issues in certain people.

2. Which firmness is best for side sleepers?
Medium or medium-soft mattresses tend to work best. They offer enough give to prevent pressure points but still support your spine.

3. What’s the healthiest side to sleep on?
Sleeping on your left side can help with digestion and reduce acid reflux. But both sides are generally healthy with proper support.

4. Where should I put my arms when side sleeping?
Try placing one arm in front of you and the other alongside your body or under a pillow—just avoid sleeping with it under your head for too long.

5. Is it OK to sleep on the same side every night?
Yes, but it’s good to switch sides occasionally to prevent stiffness or imbalance. If one side feels sore, try alternating.