The Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt 2.0 Medium Hybrid is our pick for Best Overall Mattress for Side Sleepers because it directly addresses the two biggest side-sleeper pain points: shoulder pressure and hip discomfort. At 12 inches, TEMPUR-Material comfort layers contour to curves with precision, distributing weight evenly so joints are cushioned without losing alignment.

Its construction is tuned for balance. Over 1,000 individually wrapped coils create adaptive lift across the body, preventing the midsection sink that throws hips out of line while providing enough give for shoulder comfort. This coil system also enhances airflow and edge stability, making the entire sleep surface supportive. The hybrid design avoids the pitfalls of all-foam beds while still delivering Tempur’s signature contouring.

What sets the ProAdapt apart from other hybrids is durability and practicality. The dense coil base resists softening over time, while the SmartClimate cover stays cool on contact and unzips for easy washing, an uncommon feature at this tier. Together, these elements create a mattress that doesn’t just balance comfort and support but maintains that balance year after year—exactly what side sleepers need for uninterrupted, restorative rest.

Bottom line: The Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt 2.0 Medium Hybrid is the best overall mattress for side sleepers, combining TEMPUR contouring, coil reinforcement, and cooling practicality in a design that protects shoulders and hips while preserving alignment.

The Mancini’s Sleepworld Granite Bay Firm is our pick for Best Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers because it provides genuine shoulder and hip relief at a price well under $2,000. Many budget-friendly beds rely on basic polyfoam that traps heat and softens quickly, but this 13-inch model stands apart by using higher-quality materials and verified cooling technology.

Its construction starts with a Super Heavy Weight “Cold” stretch knit cover made from a polyethylene blend, which feels cool on contact and helps regulate surface temperature. Beneath the smooth top quilting are layers of Titanium M-Foam in medium firm and firm densities, enhanced with graphite, copper, and titanium infusions to pull away heat and improve durability. A super high-density foam core adds stability and resists sagging, ensuring that side sleepers maintain spinal alignment even as their shoulders and hips sink in for pressure relief.

Compared to most mattresses in this price range, which often offer a single layer of basic gel foam, the Granite Bay delivers a triple infusion approach that actively combats heat buildup. The use of ultra-dense foams ensures better shape retention over time, helping side sleepers avoid the dips and uneven surfaces that cause discomfort. Combined with strong motion separation, edge stability, and Mancini’s hassle-free delivery and 365-Night Comfort Guarantee*, it offers an uncommon level of quality and support at a highly accessible price.

Our experts also named the Mancini's Sleepworld Granite Bay Firm as the best affordable cooling mattress for hot sleepers because it delivers genuine temperature regulation through its cooling knit cover that actively manages surface temperature while the firmer profile prevents the heat-trapping sink at a great price.

Bottom line: The Mancini’s Sleepworld Granite Bay Firm is the best affordable mattress for side sleepers, delivering cooling comfort, durable support, and targeted pressure relief for under $2,000 - outperforming typical budget foams in both quality and longevity.

The Aireloom Bay Preferred Trestles Luxury Firm is our pick for Best Luxury Mattress for Side Sleepers because it delivers a handcrafted blend of pressure relief, responsive lift, and breathable natural materials. At 15.5 inches, this mattress is built to cradle the shoulders and hips while maintaining alignment, a critical need for side sleepers who often struggle with joint pressure in thinner or less supportive designs.

The defining feature is Aireloom Lift, an exclusive chamber between the coils and comfort layers that allows the mattress to breathe while synchronizing with body movement. This design creates a buoyant lift that prevents the “stuck-in” sensation and keeps side sleepers elevated without losing contouring comfort. Surrounding this system are natural fibers like silk and wool, paired with TerraPur latex and graphite-infused CelsionPLUS foam, which together regulate temperature and provide consistent airflow throughout the night. Hand tufting secures each layer individually, ensuring long-term durability and breathability that glued foams cannot match.

Luxury here is more than feel—it’s craftsmanship. Every Trestles mattress is handmade in California with attention to detail rarely seen in mass-market beds. The reinforced edge system provides full-surface usability, while the balanced Luxury Firm profile delivers the rare combination of plush comfort and resilient stability. For side sleepers seeking indulgent materials and lasting construction, the Trestles stands apart as a mattress designed for both comfort and longevity.

Bottom line: The Aireloom Bay Preferred Trestles Luxury Firm is the best luxury mattress for side sleepers who want handcrafted quality, natural cooling materials, and adaptive support that keeps hips and shoulders cushioned without compromising alignment.

The Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt 2.0 Medium is our pick for Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers because it pairs Tempur’s most pressure-relieving foams with a cooling system designed to prevent the heat buildup common in all-foam designs. Side sleepers often overheat around the shoulders and hips, but here those areas are cushioned while staying comfortably cool.

At 12 inches, the mattress stacks TEMPUR-Material with Advanced Relief Material, a foam engineered with denser cell structure for more precise adaptation. This combination evenly distributes weight at the shoulders and hips while keeping the spine aligned. This support is essential for side sleepers who might otherwise bottom out into firmer cores. Unlike traditional memory foam, these materials adapt not just to shape and weight but also to body temperature, maintaining responsiveness across the night.

Where most all-foam beds trap heat, the ProAdapt 2.0 distinguishes itself with its SmartClimate cover. Woven with heat-absorbing fibers, it feels instantly cool and continues pulling warmth away hour after hour. The removable, washable design with a 360-degree zipper ensures long-term practicality. Compared to hybrids, it lacks the natural airflow of coils, but it gains unmatched motion isolation. This is an advantage for side sleepers who shift positions or share the bed and don’t want disruptions to restart heat buildup.

Bottom line: The Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt 2.0 Medium is the best cooling mattress for side sleepers, delivering all-foam contouring and motion isolation while solving the usual overheating problem with a SmartClimate cooling cover and Tempur’s most advanced pressure-relief foams.

The Aireloom Orion Luxury Firm is our pick for Best Innerspring Mattress for Side Sleepers because it blends the responsiveness of a traditional coil system with targeted comfort upgrades that make innerspring viable for pressure-sensitive sleepers. At 12.5 inches, it maintains the flatter, stable feel of a true innerspring while introducing memory foam and natural fibers to soften the impact on shoulders and hips.

Instead of relying solely on coils, the Orion incorporates slow-recovery memory foam in its comfort layers. This adaptation relieves the sharp pressure points that side sleepers often experience on innersprings, while silk, wool, and Tencel fibers add breathable softness. The coil system itself preserves alignment and prevents the sinking midsection that can disrupt posture, creating a rare combination: cushioning at the surface with a consistent, stable base.

According to mattress expert Arturo Leon, the Orion’s key advantage lies in its “additional layer of memory foam in comfort layers that allow better support for side sleepers while still offering the traditional support.” This balance is crucial. The foam adapts to shoulder and hip curves, while the innerspring core prevents the excessive sink that throws the spine out of alignment. Leon emphasizes that it delivers “luxury support with top comfort layers with a flatter surface,” appealing to those “looking for a quilted top mattress with a traditional feel.” He also notes that, being “designed and made in California,” it earns what he calls the “luxury sleep tag” through genuine craftsmanship, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: The Aireloom Orion Luxury Firm is the best innerspring mattress for side sleepers, pairing memory foam contouring with traditional coil stability in a handcrafted design that cushions pressure points without sacrificing alignment or classic innerspring feel.

The Helix Luxe Twilight Firm Euro-Top is our pick for Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers because it combines zoned coil support with targeted foam layers to reduce shoulder strain while holding the spine in neutral alignment. Side sleepers often need contouring at the shoulders without letting the hips drop, and this 13.5-inch hybrid achieves that balance through a layered system of dense foams over individually wrapped coils.

Its construction sets it apart from standard hybrids. Three layers of high-density foam, including Helix’s most durable memory foam, cradle pressure points without collapsing under weight. Responsive transition foam prevents the “stuck” sensation, while individually wrapped coils are zoned to provide firmer support under the hips and gentler give under the shoulders. This zoning is especially important for side sleepers, as it keeps the spine aligned while easing tension in the upper body. A reinforced perimeter ensures the mattress stays stable edge to edge.

Cooling performance is another differentiator. The GlacioTex cover uses advanced fibers to draw heat away from the body, offering a noticeably cooler surface than traditional quilted tops. Compared to all-foam mattresses, the Twilight Luxe benefits from the airflow of its coil system, while outperforming traditional innersprings in contouring and pressure relief. For side sleepers who want hybrid responsiveness without sacrificing cooling or alignment, it delivers a clear edge over both foam and spring-only alternatives.

Bottom line: The Helix Luxe Twilight Firm Euro-Top is the best hybrid mattress for side sleepers, blending zoned coil alignment, durable foam cushioning, and advanced cooling into a design that relieves shoulder pressure while keeping the spine supported.

The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Firm Pillow Top is our pick for Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain because it blends cushioning comfort with the structural support required to maintain alignment. At 16 inches tall, this mattress layers a plush yet firm pillow top over a dense IntelliCoil HD support system, ensuring shoulders and hips are cushioned without allowing the spine to dip out of position which is a crucial factor in managing back pain.

Its construction is engineered for both relief and longevity. The exclusive TEMPUR-Indulge Memory Foam, designed in partnership with Tempur-Pedic, adapts precisely to side sleeper pressure points while resisting the sagging common in standard foams. Beneath, more than 2,000 IntelliCoils work independently to support weight distribution and reduce motion transfer, making the mattress stable across the entire surface. A natural latex layer adds a responsive lift that prevents the trapped feeling often associated with dense foams, while also reinforcing durability.

Cooling and usability are not afterthoughts. The Tencel cover is cool-to-the-touch and breathable, while added ventilation throughout the comfort system helps dissipate heat. Reinforced edges maximize usable sleep surface, allowing side sleepers to rest comfortably at the perimeter without sagging. Combined with its handcrafted build, the Lux Estate Firm Pillow Top delivers a rare combination: the resilience and lift of a firm bed with just enough top cushioning to ease side-sleeper pressure points, all while maintaining crucial spinal alignment.

Bottom line: The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Firm Pillow Top is the best choice for side sleepers with back pain who need firm spinal support combined with a pressure-relieving pillow top, ensuring both alignment and comfort in a handcrafted design.

The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Medium Firm is our pick for Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain because it delivers the precise balance of contouring and support that sensitive shoulders demand. At 14.5 inches, its medium firm feel prevents the sharp pressure points that often develop when side sleepers lie on overly firm surfaces, while still holding the body in proper alignment.

Its construction is designed to ease shoulder strain without sacrificing stability. The TEMPUR-Indulge Memory Foam adapts at the shoulders and upper torso, softening the impact that leads to pain and stiffness, while maintaining resilience to prevent collapse. Beneath, the 1504 IntelliCoil innerspring system provides targeted lift that distributes weight evenly and limits motion transfer—an important benefit for sleepers who frequently adjust positions due to shoulder discomfort. A latex layer reinforces responsiveness, ensuring the mattress holds its shape while providing a touch of buoyancy that prevents shoulders from sinking too deeply.

For those managing shoulder pain, cooling and stability also matter. The Tencel Cool-To-The-Touch cover draws heat away on contact, while built-in ventilation reduces the temperature swings that can worsen inflammation. Reinforced edges keep the surface steady, even when resting near the perimeter, and reduce the roll-in effect that can put uneven pressure on the shoulder joint. Together, these features deliver a sleep environment that cushions sensitive areas, maintains spinal alignment, and reduces nighttime disruptions that aggravate pain.

Bottom line: The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Medium Firm is the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder pain, combining TEMPUR-Indulge contouring and IntelliCoil support with cooling and stability features that ease pressure, reduce inflammation, and promote deeper rest.

The Aireloom Bay Preferred Riviera Firm is our pick for Best Mattress for Side Sleeping Couples because it addresses the biggest challenges of two people sharing one surface: motion transfer, heat buildup, and differing support needs. At 14.5 inches, it combines Aireloom’s signature Lift system with responsive natural latex and handcrafted quilting to create a mattress that adapts to both sleepers while staying stable edge to edge.

Aireloom Lift creates a natural chamber between the coils and comfort layers, synchronizing with the body and promoting airflow. This design is especially valuable for couples, since two bodies naturally generate more heat. Latex padding in the comfort layers cushions shoulders and hips for side sleepers while responding instantly to movement, preventing one partner from disturbing the other. Reinforced edge support ensures that both sleepers can use the full width of the mattress without roll-off or instability, a crucial benefit for couples who prefer different sleeping zones.

According to mattress expert Arturo Leon, the Riviera Firm adds “additional padding of natural latex on comfort layers for side sleepers along with the hand stitched quilting.” He highlights that natural latex “is quicker to respond to the body shape and bounces back quicker than memory foam.” This faster recovery directly benefits couples: it minimizes body impressions, adapts when partners of different weights change positions, and maintains a flatter, stable surface that accommodates varying firmness preferences. Crafted in California with breathable silk/wool quilting, the Riviera Firm blends luxury craftsmanship with practical solutions for side sleepers who share a bed.

Bottom line: The Aireloom Bay Preferred Riviera Firm is the best mattress for side sleeping couples, delivering responsive latex, Aireloom Lift airflow, and edge-to-edge stability that reduce partner disturbances while supporting two bodies with different needs.

The Aireloom Bay Preferred Amargosa Extra Firm is our pick for Best Mattress for Heavy Side Sleepers because it delivers the reinforced coil strength and dense comfort layers needed to support larger bodies without sacrificing shoulder and hip relief. At 14 inches, this handcrafted mattress uses Aireloom’s Lift design and premium materials to provide long-term stability and pressure relief in equal measure.

Its construction addresses two common problems for heavier side sleepers: sagging and edge instability. The tempered coil system maintains lift under higher weight, preventing the midsection from collapsing and throwing the spine out of alignment. Foam-encased edges keep the surface stable all the way across, particularly valuable for side sleepers who roll toward the perimeter more often than back or stomach sleepers. On top, 10 pounds of carefully layered comfort materials ease pressure at the shoulders and hips, reducing strain without compromising the firm support underneath.

According to mattress expert Arturo Leon, the Amargosa Extra Firm is “recommended more for back and stomach sleepers,” but he emphasizes that it still works for side sleepers who carry more weight. He highlights the “tempered coil system, foam encased edge” that provides crucial edge stability, and notes that the “great pressure relief offered by 10 pounds of comfort material for shoulder and hips” makes it uniquely suited to heavier side sleepers needing durability and relief in equal measure. With hand-tufted California craftsmanship, the Amargosa Extra Firm proves that an extra-firm mattress can still deliver the balance of support and cushioning that heavy side sleepers require.

Our experts also named the Aireloom Bay Preferred Amargosa Extra Firm as the best cooling mattress for heavy people because its heavy gauge coil system prevents the deep sinking feeling that typically traps heat, and natural materials that provide consistent breathability.

Bottom line: The Aireloom Bay Preferred Amargosa Extra Firm is the best mattress for heavy side sleepers, combining reinforced coils, dense comfort layers, and edge-to-edge stability to deliver lasting support and targeted pressure relief under greater body weight.