Mattresses for side sleepers
Most side sleepers do best on a medium-soft to medium mattress, 3 to 6 on our 1 to 10 scale, which lets the shoulder and hip sink in while the waist stays supported. Every mattress page shows its firmness number.
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Shop all mattressesWhat's the best mattress for side sleepers?
The best mattress for side sleepers is usually medium-soft to medium, 3 to 6 on our 1 to 10 firmness scale, with a cushioning top layer such as memory foam or the foam layer of a hybrid.
Where you land in that range depends mostly on your build. Lighter side sleepers often prefer medium-soft (3 to 4), because they don't press far into a mattress and a firmer one feels hard. Heavier side sleepers are often better on medium (5 to 6), so the hips are cushioned without the middle sinking. The wider your shoulders and hips are compared with your waist, the more give you'll want at the surface.
What does side sleeping do to your spine, shoulders and hips?
Side sleeping puts most of your weight through the shoulder and hip, the widest parts of your body, while the waist hangs between them, so the mattress has to let those two points sink in for your spine to stay roughly straight.
Get the firmness wrong and the spine bends one way or the other. On a mattress that's too firm, the shoulder and hip take the pressure and your waist is left without support. On one that's too soft, the heavier middle of your body sinks lower than your shoulders.
| Firmness | On your side | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| Soft (1 to 2) | Deep sink; heavier builds can sag in the middle | Lighter side sleepers who like to feel held |
| Medium-soft (3 to 4) | Shoulder and hip settle in, waist supported | Most side sleepers |
| Medium (5 to 6) | Less sink, more push-back | Heavier side sleepers, and anyone who also sleeps on their back |
| Medium-firm to firm (7 to 10) | Pressure builds at the shoulder and hip | Rarely side sleepers |
Which type of mattress is best for side sleepers?
Memory foam and hybrid mattresses usually suit side sleepers best, because both have a comfort layer that moulds around the shoulder and hip; a pocket sprung mattress with a generous soft top can work well too.
- Memory foam: softens with body heat and moulds closely around you, then recovers slowly. Very little movement reaches a partner, but it can feel warmer and takes more effort to turn over on.
- Hybrid: a foam comfort layer over pocket springs, so the shoulder gets its cushioning while the springs support you and let air move. A good option if you run warm or are heavier.
- Pocket sprung: each spring moves on its own, so the mattress follows your shape better than open coil. Look for a deep comfort layer on top, or the springs can feel firm at the shoulder.
What pillow should a side sleeper use?
A side sleeper needs a higher, firmer pillow than a back or front sleeper, because it has to fill the gap between your shoulder and head so your neck stays in line with your spine.
The right height depends on your shoulder width and your mattress. On a softer mattress your shoulder sinks further, so you need a little less height than on a firmer one, which makes it worth checking your pillow whenever you change mattress. A pillow that has gone flat lets your head drop, and many people replace pillows every couple of years. Our pillows page explains how to choose one by sleep position.
Should side sleepers choose a soft mattress?
Side sleepers should choose a fully soft mattress (1 to 2) only if they're light; most do better on medium-soft (3 to 4), which cushions the shoulder without letting the middle sag.
If you're heavier, share a bed with a back sleeper, or move between your side and back in the night, medium (5 to 6) is usually the better fit. Compare our soft mattresses with our medium mattresses using the number on each page.
Not sure where you fit in the 3 to 6 range? Send us a message with your usual position, your build and whether you share the bed, and we'll suggest where to start.
Mattresses for side sleepers: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Is memory foam good for side sleepers?
Memory foam suits many side sleepers, because it softens with body heat and moulds around the shoulder and hip, letting both sink in while the waist stays supported. It also passes on very little movement to a partner. The trade-offs are that memory foam can feel warmer, and it's slower to move on if you change position often.
Are firm mattresses bad for side sleepers?
Firm mattresses aren't bad in general, but they rarely suit side sleepers. At 9 to 10 on our scale, a firm mattress doesn't let the shoulder and hip sink in, so pressure builds at both and the spine can dip at the waist. A heavier side sleeper who likes a firmer feel might manage medium-firm (7 to 8).
Why do my shoulders hurt when I sleep on my side?
Shoulder ache after side sleeping can come from a mattress that's too firm, which makes the shoulder take much of your weight, or from a pillow that's too low or flat, which lets your head drop. A worn, dipping mattress can do the same. If the ache carries on into the day or keeps coming back, see a GP or physiotherapist, as a mattress can't treat the cause.
Is a hybrid good for side sleepers?
A hybrid mattress suits many side sleepers: the foam comfort layer lets the shoulder and hip sink in, and the pocket springs underneath support the waist and let air move. That makes a hybrid a good option for side sleepers who find all-foam mattresses warm, or who are heavier and want firmer support underneath.
Should I put a pillow between my knees when I sleep on my side?
Some side sleepers find a pillow between the knees more comfortable, because it stops the top leg dropping forward and twisting the hips and lower back. A knee pillow is an easy thing to try alongside the right mattress and head pillow, but it won't make up for a mattress that's too firm or too soft.
What mattress suits a side sleeper and a back sleeper sharing a bed?
A side sleeper and a back sleeper usually meet in the middle on medium (5 to 6 on our scale): it's the top of the side sleeper's range (3 to 6) and the bottom of the back sleeper's (5 to 8). Pocket springs or memory foam help too, as both pass on less movement than open coil.
Do side sleepers need a deeper mattress?
Side sleepers don't need a deeper mattress as such, but they do need enough cushioning on top for the shoulder and hip to sink into. Deeper mattresses often have more comfort layers, which helps. Heavier side sleepers should look at deeper mattresses with a strong spring unit underneath.
Can a mattress topper help a side sleeper?
A mattress topper can make a firm mattress kinder to a side sleeper by adding a softer layer for the shoulder and hip to sink into. It can't fix a mattress that sags, because the topper just follows the dip. On a bunk bed or high sleeper, the topper counts towards the maximum mattress depth marked on the bed.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.