Best mattress for back and side sleepers 2022

If you’re a side sleeper, you’re not alone: In a bedding survey of over 8,700 people on our Good Housekeeping tester panel, 60% said they sleep on their side. Even though it’s common, you still need to take extra care when picking out a mattress. It’s crucial to have pressure relief around your joints, especially your shoulders. The ultimate goal is to keep your spine properly aligned, so your shoulders should be able to sink into the bed slightly.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab reviews mattresses for every sleep position, material and firmness preference, including memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses, boxed mattresses and more. Our fiber scientists research the brands, mattress styles and features, then send the mattresses to product experts and consumer testers to try them out in real life. We also reviewed surveys with thorough feedback from over 10,000 mattress owners on our tester panel and analyzed more than 170,000 data points.

Our top picks:

  • Best mattress for back and side sleepers 2022

    Best Overall Mattress for Side Sleepers

    Saatva Classic Mattress Saatva

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  • Best mattress for back and side sleepers 2022

    Best Value Mattress for Side Sleepers

    The Allswell Luxe Hybrid Allswell

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  • Best mattress for back and side sleepers 2022

    Best Mattress for Side Sleepers on Amazon

    Tuft & Needle Original Mattress Tuft & Needle

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  • Best mattress for back and side sleepers 2022

    Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

    Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress Nolah

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  • Best mattress for back and side sleepers 2022

    Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers

    Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress Casper

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      We most recently reviewed this article in August 2022 and stand by our recommendations from our extensive evaluations. Read on to learn more about each of these beds, with prices listed for Queen sizes. And while you're shopping, check out our top-tested pillows for side sleepers for your best alignment.

      Best Overall Mattress for Side Sleepers

      Saatva

      Saatva Classic Mattress

      Best Value Mattress for Side Sleepers

      Allswell

      The Allswell Luxe Hybrid

      Best Mattress for Side Sleepers on Amazon

      Tuft & Needle

      Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

      Best Mattress for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

      Nolah

      Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress

      Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers

      Casper

      Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress

      Best Mattress for Lightweight Side Sleepers

      Amerisleep

      Amerisleep AS4 Mattress

      Best Mattress for Heavier Side Sleepers

      Purple

      The Purple Mattress

      Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers

      Tempur-Pedic

      Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Luxe Breeze

      Best Organic Mattress for Side Sleepers

      Avocado

      Avocado Green Mattress

      Best Adjustable Mattress for Side Sleepers

      Sleep Number

      Sleep Number 360 m7 Smart Bed

      Our analysts first review the materials, special features and other relevant specifications. They also research the brands, any potential certifications and whether there are complaints that could affect the user experience. We then have our product experts and consumer testers try out the mattresses firsthand, plus we send questionnaires to our panel of Good Housekeeping readers to get additional in-depth feedback on the mattresses they already own.

      Surveys are sent to our testers after several weeks of sleeping on the mattress to get initial feedback. Then we continue to survey them over an extended period — i.e. months through years later — to see how the mattress holds up over time. Each survey addresses a range of aspects, including:

      ✔️ Ordering and delivery: Users provide ratings and comments about the ease of ordering, how quickly it showed up and whether there were any issues throughout these steps.

      ✔️ Set up: Whether it's DIY or white glove delivery, we explore how easy the process was and whether the mattress took shape quickly.

      ✔️ Firmness level: Oftentimes the perceived firmness doesn't match up to the brand's specified level. This helps us gain insight into how soft or firm it feels in real life.

      ✔️ Edge support: Reviewers let us know whether the bed sinks when they sit on the edges or if it holds the shape well under weight.

      ✔️ Comfort: Testers weigh in on whether they liked sleeping on the mattress immediately and again later in the review period. They're able to provide a comfort rating as well as detailed comments.

      ✔️ Support: Similarly, testers share their thoughts on the level of support over time.

      ✔️ Temperature: We ask users whether they stayed at a comfortable body temperature throughout the night so we can note whether any cooling features were observed.

      ✔️ Sleep quality: Respondents let us know if the mattress has had any effect on their sleep, whether they wake up sore and whether they are overall satisfied with the mattress. They also have the opportunity to compare the mattress with other models they've owned.

      ✔️ Additional feedback: Through a series of open-ended questions, testers can share any likes, dislikes and further comments about their experiences.

        What mattress type is best for side sleepers?

        Memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses are ideal for side sleepers because they offer pressure relief for proper alignment, whereas innerspring mattresses can't contour around pressure points. If you prefer the bouncy feel of an innerspring mattress, make sure there's some sort of relief for your hips and shoulders, whether it's a pillow top or a layer of memory foam or latex near the surface. You can also add a mattress topper for a layer of pressure relief.

        What firmness level is best for side sleepers?

        Side sleepers need a mattress with soft or medium firmness. If it’s too firm, you’ll be putting pressure on areas like your hips and shoulders, which may cause you to wake up with pain. That being said, you don't want the mattress to be too soft either; if you sink in too much then there won’t be enough support to maintain a neutral spine.

        More side sleeper mattress shopping tips

        Besides the mattress type and firmness level, here's what elseyou can consider before you buy:

        • Body type: Consider your body type when choosing your bed's firmness. If you're heavier, you may need a firmer mattress to prevent sinking, while those with smaller frames should opt for a softer surface for alignment.
        • Delivery: Many mattresses you buy online are shipped compressed in a box for you to set up at your own convenience. If you prefer to have a service set it up for you (and haul away your old mattress), make sure you choose one that offers White Glove Delivery.
        • Trial period: Regardless of what type of mattress you choose, it's a good idea to check what you can do if you don't love it. Most companies — especially ones that sell online — allow you to sleep on the bed for several months then return it for a full refund if it's not a good fit.
        • Cooling features: Most side-sleeper mattresses contain memory foam for pressure relief, but foam can trap in body heat and cause hot sleepers to sweat at night. To find a mattress with cooling properties, look for foam ones that have phase change technology, gel or copper particles to help keep you at a comfortable temperature. Hybrid mattresses with coils also allow for more airflow.

        Why trust Good Housekeeping

        Lexie Sachs is the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she oversees all bedding content and testing. She has been actively researching and reporting on mattresses since online bed-shopping hit the mainstream in 2014, and has extensively reviewed dozens of models by meeting with brands, surveying real mattress owners and conducting consumer tests.

        Lexie Sachs Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing.

        What mattress firmness is best for back and side sleepers?

        A medium-firm mattress is an excellent choice for combo sleepers because they typically strike a pleasant balance between pressure relief and support. They're soft enough to provide pressure relief to the shoulders while sleeping on the side and firm enough to support the hips whilst dozing on the back.

        What is the best mattress on the market in 2022?

        Best Mattresses – Our Top Picks.
        Best Overall: Helix Midnight..
        Most Comfortable: DreamCloud Mattress..
        Best Value: Nectar Mattress..
        Best Luxury: Saatva Classic..
        Best for Side Sleepers: Softer WinkBed..
        Best for Couples: Helix Dusk Luxe..
        Best for Back Pain: Luxury Firm WinkBed..
        Best for Combination Sleepers: Layla Hybrid..

        What mattress firmness is best for combination sleepers?

        While side sleepers generally need a softer mattress to protect their hips and shoulders, stomach sleepers need a firmer innerspring or hybrid mattress to support the entire body. For combo sleepers that shift to both positions, we recommend a medium-firm hybrid mattress.

        Is a firm mattress better for your back side sleepers?

        Back and stomach sleepers tend to prefer firmer mattresses, while side sleepers prefer a softer feel.