Last Updated: February 23, 2026
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
Article Summary:
The best mattresses for side sleepers balance pressure relief and spinal support to cushion the shoulders and hips without letting the body sink out of alignment. Most side sleepers feel best on medium to medium soft mattresses, though body weight can change how firmness feels. Memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses are popular options because they contour to pressure points while maintaining stability through the midsection. Choosing the right mattress materials, firmness level, and pillow support can reduce shoulder pain, hip pressure, and lower back tension for more comfortable, restorative sleep.
What Are the Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers?
Side sleeping is one of the most common sleep positions, but it also places unique pressure on the body. When you sleep on your side, much of your weight concentrates around the shoulders and hips. Without the right balance of support and cushioning, these areas can experience pressure buildup that leads to discomfort, numbness, or even lower back strain.
Finding the best mattresses for side sleepers starts with understanding how your body interacts with the mattress surface. The right mattress should allow the shoulders and hips to sink slightly while still supporting the natural curve of the spine. When that balance is achieved, pressure points are reduced and the body can remain properly aligned throughout the night.
Why Side Sleepers Need the Right Mattress
Side sleepers place more concentrated pressure on certain areas of the body than back or stomach sleepers. The shoulder usually presses into the mattress first, followed by the hips. These areas carry a large portion of body weight, which means the mattress must provide enough cushioning to absorb pressure without sacrificing support.
If a mattress is too firm, the shoulders and hips cannot sink in enough. This often leads to pressure points and can cause the spine to tilt out of alignment. Many side sleepers notice this as shoulder soreness, stiffness in the upper back, or numbness in the arms.
On the other hand, a mattress that is too soft may allow the hips to sink too deeply into the surface. When this happens, the spine curves downward instead of remaining neutral, which can lead to tension in the lower back.
A well-designed mattress for side sleepers distributes body weight more evenly across the surface. By combining supportive base layers with pressure-relieving comfort materials, the mattress can reduce stress on joints while still keeping the spine properly supported.
Ideal Mattress Firmness for Side Sleepers
Most side sleepers feel comfortable on mattresses in the medium to medium-soft range. This firmness level typically provides enough cushioning to relieve pressure around the shoulders and hips while still supporting the body.
However, firmness is not a one size fits all measurement. Body weight plays an important role in how a mattress actually feels. Learn more about how mattress firmness really works.
Lightweight sleepers often experience mattresses as firmer because they do not sink as deeply into the materials. Softer comfort layers can help create enough contouring to relieve pressure around the shoulders and hips.
Average weight sleepers usually find the best balance in medium firmness mattresses. These designs tend to provide both pressure relief and stable support.
Heavier sleepers may need slightly firmer mattresses to prevent the hips from sinking too far into the surface. A stronger support core can help maintain better spinal alignment throughout the night.
This variation is one reason mattress firmness can feel different from person to person. Even when two mattresses carry the same firmness rating, body weight, materials, and construction can significantly change how they feel.
For a broader overview of how sleeping positions influence mattress comfort, see our guide to some of the best mattresses by sleep position.
How Body Weight Affects Mattress Feel for Side Sleepers
Body weight has a significant impact on how a mattress feels and performs. Two people sleeping on the same mattress may experience it very differently depending on how much they compress the comfort layers.
Lighter sleepers often experience mattresses as firmer because they do not sink as deeply into the surface. Softer comfort layers can help create enough contouring to relieve pressure around the shoulders and hips.
Average weight sleepers typically experience the firmness level as it was designed. For many side sleepers in this range, medium to medium soft mattresses offer the best balance of pressure relief and support.
Heavier sleepers tend to compress mattress materials more deeply. A mattress that is too soft may allow the hips to sink too far into the bed, which can lead to spinal misalignment. In these cases, a slightly firmer mattress with a strong support core may provide better long term comfort.
Mattress Materials That Work Well for Side Sleepers
Memory Foam
Memory foam is widely known for its ability to contour closely to the body. When weight is applied, the foam adapts to the shape of the shoulders and hips. This contouring helps distribute pressure more evenly and can reduce the likelihood of pressure points forming overnight. Explore our best memory foam mattresses, reviewed and rated.
Because of its pressure relieving properties, memory foam is often recommended for side sleepers who experience shoulder or hip discomfort.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine foam comfort layers with a supportive coil system underneath. The foam layers provide cushioning for pressure relief, while the coil base helps maintain stability and airflow.
Many side sleepers appreciate the balance hybrids offer. They provide the contouring comfort of foam but also feel more responsive and supportive than traditional all foam mattresses. Explore our recent hybrid mattress reviews.
Latex Mattresses
Natural latex offers pressure relief similar to foam, but with a more responsive and buoyant feel. Instead of slowly contouring, latex gently pushes back against the body, providing support while still relieving pressure.
Some side sleepers prefer latex because it allows easier movement and tends to sleep cooler than many foam mattresses. Discover the truth about latex mattresses and why this may be a good option for those with latex allergies.
Pressure Relief and Spinal Alignment
For side sleepers, maintaining proper spinal alignment is one of the most important factors when choosing a mattress. When lying on your side, the spine should remain relatively straight from the neck down through the lower back.
A mattress that is too firm can force the shoulders upward, creating a gap beneath the waist. This misalignment can lead to stiffness in the neck and upper back.
A mattress that is too soft may allow the hips to sink too deeply into the surface, which pulls the lower spine out of its natural position.
Mattresses designed with layered construction often provide the best solution. A supportive base layer keeps the spine stable, while comfort layers above allow the shoulders and hips to sink in just enough to relieve pressure.
Some mattresses also use zoned support systems. These designs provide extra support beneath the hips while allowing more cushioning near the shoulders.
Explore some of our reviews for the best mattresses for back pain and spinal alignment.
Signs Your Mattress May Not Be Right for Side Sleeping
Common warning signs include:
- shoulder pain during the night
- hip pressure or soreness
- numb arms or tingling hands
- lower back tension when waking up
When these issues appear regularly, it may be a sign that the mattress firmness or construction is not well suited for side sleeping.
Additional Sleep Tips for Side Sleepers
While the mattress plays the largest role in comfort, a few additional adjustments can improve sleep quality for side sleepers.
A supportive pillow is essential for keeping the neck aligned with the spine. Side sleepers often benefit from slightly thicker pillows that fill the space between the head and the mattress.
Placing a pillow between the knees can also help keep the hips aligned. This small adjustment reduces strain on the lower back and can make side sleeping more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers prefer mattresses in the medium to medium-soft range because this level provides enough cushioning for the shoulders and hips while still supporting the spine.
Are memory foam mattresses good for side sleepers?
Yes. Memory foam mattresses contour closely to the body and help relieve pressure points around the shoulders and hips.
Do side sleepers need a softer mattress?
Many side sleepers benefit from slightly softer comfort layers so the shoulders and hips can sink in enough to maintain proper alignment.
Why do side sleepers get shoulder pain at night?
Shoulder pain often happens when a mattress is too firm and does not provide enough cushioning for the shoulder joint.
Final Thoughts
Side sleepers typically need a mattress that offers strong pressure relief while maintaining proper spinal support. Medium to medium soft mattresses made with memory foam, hybrid designs, or responsive latex often provide the best balance of comfort and stability.
Because firmness can feel different depending on body weight, sleep position, and mattress construction, it helps to understand how these factors interact.
To learn how mattress firmness and sleep style work together, explore our full guide to the best mattresses by sleep position, where we break down how different sleeping positions affect comfort, pressure relief, and support.
