Side sleepers commonly endure back, hip, and shoulder pain from poor mattresses. The ideal mattress for side sleepers should be medium-soft to medium firmness to maintain spine alignment. Luckily, most people sleep on their sides, so manufacturers provide several mattress alternatives to keep them aligned.
I have evaluated over 50 side-sleeper mattresses and talked with specialists over the previous five years. Our favorite choice is the WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress, which offers responsive pressure relief, firm support, and excellent motion isolation. The Siena Memory Foam Mattress is the most affordable choice under $500. It’s good for couples but lacks the softness and movement of costlier beds.
Winkbeds’ EcoCloud Mattress
Side sleepers love WinkBeds’ EcoCloud, which is softer than usual and supports petite-to-average back and stomach sleepers. The Casper Nova Hybrid, our former best, has been discontinued along with the company’s product revamp. Under an organic cotton wool cover, the EcoCloud’s responsive and sustainable OEKO-TEX-certified latex gives the bed bounce with individually wrapped pocket coils that support your body’s heaviest parts. Firmer springs provide excellent edge support around the mattress.
Because of its excellent side-sleeping pressure reduction, I slept on the EcoCloud many additional nights during a mattress testing hiatus. The bed provided excellent spinal alignment and comfort as I recovered from marathon training. I tried one of the warmest mattresses. When I woke up, the heat hadn’t dissipated since it retained heat. The WinkBeds EcoCloud’s motion isolation and edge support make it a good option for roommates.
Siena Memory Foam Mattress (Queen)
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress is excellent for side sleepers, particularly overheats, because of its softer-than-average firmness. The Siena Memory Foam is the finest cheap side sleeper mattress at $400. My sleep quality was middling on the mattress, although the softer-than-average feel eliminates pressure points for side sleepers. As a hot sleeper, I liked how cold the mattress was and how fast the heat disappeared when I woke up.
The Siena has three CertiPUR-US foam layers. The mattress’s low vibrometer results indicate sound motion isolation. The bed dipped when I sat on the side, but the edge support was good. Despite lying on the brink, I felt supported. This mattress is good for couples because of its edge support and motion isolation. Though the mattress took several days to smell better, assembly was easy. Siena’s 180-night trial term is more significant than typical. However, return postage is subtracted from the refund.
Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress (Queen)
The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress with contouring foam supports all body types and sleeping preferences with excellent pressure relief and heat dissipation. Sleeping on the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress is the most comfortable. Every night on the Cloud, I fell asleep quickly and kept calm. I wouldn’t give it up to try the next mattress.
With its excellent pressure relief, the Tempur-Cloud stands out for side sleepers. CertiPUR-US-certified foam cushions pressure areas on top. For further pressure alleviation, the following layer of Tempur material is stiffer and adjusts slowly. Finally, foundation foam provides support and durability. The lightweight mattress and duffel bag-like packing made assembly straightforward. By nightfall, the foam odor was gone.
The Tempur-Pedic Cloud reduces motion transmission well. We passed the bowling ball test, and I didn’t see my wife and dog moving about at night. However, the Cloud is flawed. The foam dips as you sit on the edges, and I felt like I was sliding off. Tempur-Pedic doesn’t provide Clouds with white gloves. The firm deducts $175 from returned refunds. In our suggestions, this bed has the shortest 90-night sleep trial and a 10-year guarantee.
Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Edge support and motion isolation are outstanding on the Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress. Its moderate firmness from memory foam and pocket springs makes it ideal for back pain patients of any sleeping style. Unsupportive beds worsen my persistent lower back pain. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid, the top option in our guide to the best mattress for back pain, provided little back discomfort over my year of use.
The mattress has four CertiPUR-US-certified foam layers and pocket springs. The cooling foam on top kept me calm while testing. Next, contouring memory foam provides localized support and pressure alleviation. Between two core foam support layers are individually wrapped coils.
Couples might choose the Leesa Sapira Hybrid since its medium firmness suits all sleeping types. My scientific and subjective testing showed that the bed isolates motion adequately. With coils reaching the mattress’s edges, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid delivers excellent edge support. The major drawback is weight. I installed the 142-pound king mattress myself. I wouldn’t suggest that for back problems.
Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed (Queen)
If you and your spouse disagree, the Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed lets you tailor each side to your preferred mattress firmness. Your body posture automatically adjusts the bed. An adjustable airbed is ideal for couples seeking the finest side sleeper mattress. The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed has exclusive features and is the finest I’ve tried.
There are twenty “Sleep Numbers” firmness choices. Each side may be adjusted to be softer (my Sleep Number was 35) or firmer (my wife loved 80). The SleepIQ app (iOS and Android) offers an adjustable air option that controls the hardness of the 360 i8 Smart Bed to deliver constant comfort and pressure relief as you move positions. The app also tracks your sleep patterns to provide individualized sleep guidance.
Despite the SleepIQ app’s less precise sleep statistics than my Garmin Forerunner 945 wristwatch, Sleep Number continually improves the software. The bed showed slight improvements throughout my month of testing. Your Sleep Number technician installs and couples your mattress with your phone in your house. White glove delivery took 45 minutes. I never felt like I would fall off the bed while resting on it, but sitting on it caused severe sinkage.
