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Most people are side sleepers. The numbers vary across studies and depend on how rigidly you define “side sleeper,” but between half and three-quarters of people sleep on their side for at least part of the night.
I am one of those side sleepers, and I’ve tested and reviewed more than 50 beds from various mattress brands over the past two years to find one that suits my needs. Before I started testing mattresses for WIRED, I would’ve told you the softer the bed the better. But, as I’ve sampled more styles and religiously tracked my sleep on my Apple Watch, I’ve found that the best mattresses for side sleepers offer cushioning along with plenty of support.
Our recommendations have enough give to let your hips sink in for a natural spinal alignment without making it difficult to roll over. Everything we recommend was put through at least a week of real-life testing in our reviewer’s home. We have provided our own independent ratings for the firmness of each mattress tested, since the ratings from manufacturers don’t always line up with our experiences.
Be sure to check out our other sleep guides, including Best Mattresses, Best Organic Mattresses, and our new guide to the Best Body Pillows for Side Sleepers.
Updated May 21, 2025: We made the Nolah Evolution our best overall pick, and adjusted Bear Elite Hybrid as our pick as the best for back pain. We also added the Naturepedic EOS Classic mattress as our pick for the best latex mattress for side sleepers.
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Best Overall
One mattress made specially for side sleepers, coming right up. The design of the Nolah Evolution is meant to promote pressure relief, from the Euro pillow top to the pocketed coils in the very center of the mattress.
Of the three firmness levels offered, luxury firm does well with keeping the shoulders and hips level so that the lower back doesn’t dip into odd angles (can’t have lower back pain, now, can we?). When it comes to lower-back support, the middle of the bed is purposefully firmer, thanks to zoned AirFoam right under the Euro pillow top and firmer zoned coils at the bottom. The pillow top hugged around my body, but the overall bed still retained a noticeably firmer feel to it. If you are a side sleeper who needs something softer, either for hip or shoulder pain, or that’s just what you prefer, the plush soft version may be a better fit for you.
Spine alignment and pressure relief are two standout features side sleepers need, and it’s not the only area where the Nolah Evolution stands out. The coil core makes it incredibly responsive, which is great, since I move around seemingly nonstop as I sleep. It also stays relatively cool, especially when I throw on cooling sheets. —Julia Forbes
Nolah Evolution ranges from $1,460 for a twin mattress to $3,454 for a split king.
Composition Seven-layer hybrid with zoned coils and zoned foam Firmness Three options, luxury firm is a 7.5/10 Height 15 inches Cooling Yes Trial period 365 nights -
Best for Back Pain
Bear
Elite Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a five-layer hybrid mattress that stands 14 inches tall and is firmer than many other side-sleeper mattresses. The top layer is a quilted pillowtop that gives the Bear Elite a luxury feel that’s surprising at this price, and the layer of copper-infused foam keeps you cool during the night. I liked this hybrid mattress so much that I used it for nearly a year between testing other mattresses.
After a short break-in period—noticeable on all mattresses but especially important with hybrids—I found the Bear Elite in medium firmness gave just the right sag to my hips and elbows while supporting me on my side. This lighter cushioning didn’t interfere with lumbar support. I have periodic lower back pain, and I seek out medium-firm mattresses that offer the right amount of pressure relief without being so soft that I sink to a spot where my spine is out of alignment. The Bear Elite strikes the perfect balance. I sometimes roll off my side, and I appreciate that because the Bear is not employing any aggressive features aimed at making your spine conform to a certain shape, meaning it’s good for the times I’m on my stomach or back.
Since it’s a hybrid, there’s airflow in the innerspring layer that makes it breathable. It’s among the sturdiest mattresses in this guide, and the outer pillow top gets cooling benefits from Celliant fiber, a trademarked blend that has been studied for its benefits in athletic wear.
Bear Elite Hybrid ranges from $1,998 for a twin mattress to $4,282 for a split king.
Composition Five-layer hybrid with zoned coils Firmness Three options, firm is a 7.5/10 Height 14 inches Cooling Yes Trial period 120 nights
