The Top Recommended Side Sleeper Mattresses, According to Experts

What may be the best feature of this mattress from Nest Bedding is the dual firmness option. If you and your partner disagree on the ideal mattress firmness, no worries: With both the King and California King sizes, you can choose a different one—Plush, Medium, or Firm—for each side of the bed! Hales says that “most side sleepers will go with the medium version; if you weigh less than 130 pounds then the soft is also an option.”

Here’s another great feature: THERMIC® technology keeps this mattress from overheating by absorbing and releasing energy (heat) as needed. OK, one more: You can unzip the sides to exchange the inner foam layer for one with a different firmness. Plus, while some companies might subtly refer to a mattress’ performance during quality time with your partner, Nest comes right out and says it, noting that the mattress “provide[s] a supportive surface for sex and sleep.”

Nest’s mattresses are made in the USA and include a 365-night free trial, a lifetime renewal exchange, and a lifetime warranty. It’s available in sizes Twin–Cal King.

Pros

• Dual firmness options
• Absorbs heat
• Responsive and supportive

Cons

• Not flippable

Nectar is pretty confident in this mattress: The company offers a 365-day home trial and a “forever warranty.” The mattress’ comfort features include copper fibers that draw heat away from your body, and five layers of premium materials, including an inch of “dynamically adjusting” foam and four inches of pressure-relieving gel memory foam. The “ActiveCool” feature is designed to adjust to your body’s changing temperature needs.

Hales calls this model “Nectar’s top performing mattress” and likes its “classic memory foam feel with good contour and hug.” The many positive reviews include the following praise: “the most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on,” “super comfortable,” “amazing,” and “a miracle” (and who doesn’t want a miracle mattress, right?).

Bonus: Nectar’s mattress production is 100 percent carbon neutral. It’s available in sizes Twin–Split King.

Pros

• Cooling copper cover
• Multiple layers of support
• Responsive and supportive

Cons

• Tall

Saatva includes a couple of extras when you order a mattress: Their free White Glove delivery includes setup—including the bed frame and foundation, if you buy those—and free disposal of your old mattress. While the company offers a 180-day home trial, be aware that it charges a $99 “processing fee” for returns.

Hales calls this mattress “a high-end, more traditional coil-on-coil mattress with a Euro-style pillow topper—[a] solid all-arounder for many types of sleepers.” He adds, “Most side sleepers should go with the Luxury Firm; lightweight side sleepers may like the Soft best.”

This mattress, which comes with a 15-year warranty, has Saatva’s Lumbar Zone® Technology, which provides proper spinal alignment and back support, no matter how you sleep. (It received a seal of approval from the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, in fact.) The breathable, hypoallergenic sleep surface has undergone the Guardian® botanical antimicrobial treatment to guard against bacteria, mold, and mildew. It’s available in size Twin–Split Cal King.

Pros

• Pillow top
• Breathable and supportive
• Lumbar zone quilting
• Treated with an antimicrobial treatment

Cons

• Tall

This mattress is designed for people who want comfortable cushioning and deep support, folks who sleep hot, and those dealing with pain in their back, hips, or shoulders. No matter what kind of mattress frame you have (adjustable included), this mattress is compatible.

Four firmness levels are available, but Hales recommends the Luxury Firm if you sleep on your side. “The vast majority of side sleepers will be more comfortable on [it]. If you weigh less than 130 pounds then the Soft is also an option.”

This eco-friendly mattress is made in the US, and has a full lifetime warranty. WinkBeds offers a 120-day risk-free trial and an easy exchange process if you end up wanting to switch to a different firmness. It’s available in size Twin–Cal King.

Pros

• Euro pillow top
• Extra edge support
• Individually wrapped coils for support

Cons

• May not conform as well to body
• Not flippable

Hales recommends this mattress because it “blends excellent memory foam hug, medium feel, and tons of pressure relief.” (Also, Layla’s website points out that the mattress has “undeniable swagger,” so there you go.) If you need more proof, SleepFoundation called it the best hybrid mattress in 2020. But if you try it and disagree, no worries: Layla provides a money back guarantee within 120 days of purchase.

The mattress’ “Flippable Firmness” is an interesting feature: One side is soft and plush while the other is firmer and has more support. So if you and your partner have different preferences for firmness and can’t agree on a mattress, this might be a solution! (Hey, each of you would be happy … 50 percent of the time.) Plus, people who tend to sleep hot, take note: The copper infused in the memory foam transfers heat away from your body. It’s also naturally antimicrobial.

Layla offers a 100 percent refund during your first 120 days of use. It’s available in size Twin –Cal King.

Pros

• Copper infused for cooling
• Flippable for different levels of firmness
• Memory foam and individually wrapped coils for support

Cons

• Tall

A bit pricier than the other mattresses on our list, this mattress from Purple features the company’s unique technology that it also uses in its popular seat cushions, pillows, pet beds, and other products. “The Grid” is made from a flexible, stretchy material called GelFlex, which Purple describes as “an instantly adapting and rebounding comfort layer” that allows air flow and lets your body heat escape. Another feature that helps keep you cool is the super breathable side panels that let air circulate.

Hales recommends this mattress for its “exceptionally good cooling, arguably the best we’ve tested to date” and adds that “the Purple grid material works fantastic for side sleeping.”

The materials in this hypoallergenic, nontoxic mattress are CertiPUR-US and Clean Air GOLD certified, and the mattress is made in the U.S.A. Purple offers a 100-night trial, free returns, and a 10-year warranty. It’s available in size Twin XL–Split King.

Pros

• Cooling
• Responsive
• Nontoxic and hypoallergenic

Cons

• May be harder to get used to the purple grid

Designed to be a super comfortable option for all sorts of sleepers, this hybrid mattress gives side sleepers “a happy medium between a traditional memory foam mattress and a classic spring style mattress,” as Leesa’s website explains. Hales says it’s a “fantastic all-around mattress” with a “medium feel, good cooling, [and] excellent build quality.”

This mattress’ six layers include an inch of comfort foam that’s hole-punched for breathability, as well as a sustainable, hypoallergenic cover that’s made from organic cotton and merino wool and is resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew. Customers say that the mattress “feels like I’m on a firm cloud” and that it’s “great for sleeping, and other bed activities” (you know they don’t mean scrolling Instagram). However, if you’re not happy with it, you can return it after the first 30 days of the 100-day home trial. It’s available in size Twin XL-Cal King.

Bonus: Leesa is a Certified B Corp (for its positive social and environmental impact), and its mattresses are made in the US, and feature a 10-year warranty. The company has also donated almost 40,000 mattresses to families in need!

Pros

• Made from recycled materials
• Organic and hypoallergenic cover
• Multiple layers of support

Cons

• Expensive