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Best mattresses for side sleepers
Love curling up on your side to sleep? You’re not alone. We’ve rounded up the best mattresses we’ve tested for those dedicated side sleepers.
A recent survey of more than 1,200 Which? members and over 2,000 members of the public revealed the most common sleep position is side sleeping. Of the eight sleeping positions we asked about, it was the four side variations that topped the list.
However, our extensive mattress testing shows that finding a good mattress for side sleeping isn't as easy as you might think.
See our full list of mattress reviews and use the filters to find the best mattress for you
Best mattresses for side sleepers
The mattresses in the following table are great for anyone who favours side sleeping, but you'll need to check the full reviews to find out if your choice is breathable and cool enough for you.
Discover the mattress brands Which? members prefer.
Side sleeper mattress reviews by price
- Mattresses for side sleepers under £400
- Mattresses for side sleepers under £800
- Mattresses for side sleepers under £1,000
- Mattresses for side sleepers over £1,000
Why you can trust our mattress reviews
Which? reviews are independent and based on robust scientific data rather than personal opinion or the word of manufacturers and PRs.
We pay for every product we review, and that includes the most expensive mattresses – we don’t accept freebies in exchange for good reviews.
We test all the mattresses to the same rigorous test programme which completely ignores brand and price. Instead, it focuses on the aspects of a mattress our members consider the most important, including spine support for the three key sleeping positions, pressure distribution and durability.
It’s tricky for mattresses to achieve optimum support for the side sleeping position in our tests. We find that generally if a mattress gets a good score as a mattress for side sleepers, it will also be a good all-rounder. If you pick one of our top-scoring mattresses for side-sleepers, it should work for your back or front sleeping partner, too.
Find out more about how we test mattresses.
Is side sleeping good for you?
According to chiropractor and British Chiropractic Association member Dean Blackstock, the position you sleep in can influence both the depth and comfort of your rest, and have wider effects on your health:
'Though there isn’t one single "best" sleeping position that works for everyone, side sleeping is often considered the most beneficial, particularly for breathing and heart health.
'Sleeping on your side can lessen snoring and improve sleep continuity. Sleeping on your left side can support digestion and circulation.'
Looking for more support? See our best mattresses for back pain.
What type of mattress is best for side sleepers?
A good mattress will help keep your spine in line and parallel to the mattress, while supporting other areas such as your shoulders and hips.
If your preferred sleeping position is on your side, you need a mattress that isn't too firm. A mattress that's too firm may not support your shoulders or hips well enough, which can cause a curve in your spine when you lie down.
No matter what type of side sleeping mattress you prefer, we have test results for all types - pocket sprung, hybrid and foam. We’ve tested mattresses that cover a wide range of budgets, too. So whether you have less than £200 or more than £800 to spend, we have an option for you.
Our guide to the best mattresses lists the top five mattresses we've tested.
What makes a mattress good for side sleepers?
The best mattresses for side sleepers, revealed by our extensive lab testing, have a few aspects in common:
- They tend to be hybrid or pocket sprung. These mattresses seem to fare much better for side sleepers in our tests. However, we have found some foam and open coil mattress that score well for the side-sleeping position, too.
- Most offer an acceptable level of pressure distribution. This stops you sinking into one area of a mattress too much and holds your spine in the optimum position while you sleep.
A decent pillow can also help keep your spine aligned while you sleep.
Check out the best pillows for front, back and side sleepers.
How firm should a mattress for a side sleeper be?
Mattress firmness is subjective and influenced by many factors, including your own personal preference, any health conditions you may have, the state of your current mattress and the type of mattress you choose. How firm or soft a mattress feels can also depend on your body shape or weight.
If you’re a regular side sleeper, your mattress needs to be soft enough to let your hips and shoulders sink in just enough to be supported, but not so much that your spine isn't held in a neutral position.
If a mattress is too firm, your hips and shoulders may not be supported very well, and it can cause your spine to curve. If a mattress is too soft, you’ll sink into it too much, which can cause misalignment.
Don’t be swayed by manufacturers’ claims of firmness or softness. Many define mattress firmness and softness however they want to, outside of the official standard for mattresses, or using their own criteria or firmness scale. You can't rely on these to compare firmness between brands.
Find out more about how we test mattresses.