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Best mattresses for side sleepers – hands-on performance tests

Mattress for side sleepers

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Table of Contents

Side sleepers make up the majority of the population. While it’s true that there’s a wide breadth of side sleeper-friendly mattresses to choose from, you know you deserve the best. We’ve compiled our top 10 picks in this nifty little list to make it easier for you to make an informed decision. Our Editor’s Choice is the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe.

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Our Top 10 Picks for Side Sleeper Mattresses and Performance Test Results

brooklyn bedding logo

#1. Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Overall Best

  • Cooling
  • Offers responsive support
  • Features a plush pillow top
Saatva mattress logo

#2. Saatva Classic

Best Luxury Mattress for Side Sleeper

  • Good for couples
  • Comes in multiple firmness options
  • Suitable for all sleeper types
helix mattress logo

#3. Helix Midnight Elite

Best for Chronic Pain

  • Good for those who suffer chronic pain
  • Perfect for side sleepers
  • Pressure relieving
egohome mattress logo

#4. Egohome Black

Best All-Foam for Side Sleepers

  • Contouring and compressing
  • Great for side sleepers
  • Good motion isolation
Nolah logo

#5. Nolah Evolution 15

Best Cooling for Side Sleepers

  • Pressure relieving
  • Suitable for all sleeper types
  • Offers responsive support
winkbed logo

#6. The WinkBed

Best Hotel Bed for Side Sleepers

  • Pressure relieving
  • Hotel quality comfort
  • Suitable for heavier-set sleepers
Bear mattress logo

#7. Bear Star Hybrid

Best for Muscle Recovery

  • Pressure relieving
  • Temperature regulating
  • Suitable for all sleeper types
sweet night logo

#8. SweetNight CoolNest

Best Affordable Mattress

  • Budget-friendly
  • Suitable for all sleeper types
  • Good motion isolation
Birch mattress logo

#9.  Birch Natural

Best Latex Mattress

  • Actively cooling
  • Offers great edge support
  • Suitable for all sleeper types
Happsy mattress logo

#10. Happsy Organic Mattress

Best Affordable Organic Mattress

  • Certified organic
  • Fiberglass-free
  • Offers responsive support

#1. Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

man sleeping on his side on Brooklyn Bedding aurora luxe mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Pros

  • Cooling
  • Offers responsive support
  • Features a plush pillow top
  • Pressure relieving

Cons

  • Motion isolation could be better
  • Poor edge support

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Why it’s the best

Plush and luxurious, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe features layers of proprietary foam such as copper-infused hyperelastic foam and VariFlex transition foam.

These materials provide deep compression and contouring which is crucial for your main pressure points.

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe also has a thick pillow top, which adds to the mattress’ plushness (especially true for the soft version).

You get to choose from three different firmness options, which means there’s something for everyone – from strict side sleepers to staunch back and stomach sleepers.

Another thing I liked the most about this mattress is its cooling capabilities, even though it only contains two types of active-cooling materials.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 13.25 inches
Firmness levels Soft, Medium, Firm
Materials GlacioTex cooling cover, plush pillow top, copper-infused hyperelastic foam, VariFlex transition foam, pocketed coils, high density base layer
Free trial period 120 nights
Warranty length 10 years
Shipping Free
Certification CertiPUR-US

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Performance

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe comes in three different firmness options: soft, medium and firm.

This means there’s a firmness option for every sleeping position, from back and stomach sleepers to side and combination sleepers.

Being a hybrid mattress, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe provides enough support, even for those who weigh well over 250 lbs.

We rate the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe a 10 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief and comfort.

It’s quite rare for us here on Sleepline to give out full marks to a mattress when it comes to comfort and pressure relief, so you can rest assured that the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is top tier. The combination of proprietary foam layers and plush pillow top provide for a cradled-in feel that hugs all the contours of your body, which helps keep pressure off your main pressure points. 

We rate the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe an 8.5 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe contains a layer of copper-infused hyperelastic foam that helps do away with heat retention (unlike true memory foam). That, plus the addition of Brooklyn Bedding’s very own GlacioTex cover helps you sleep fresh and cool all throughout the night.

We rate the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe a 6.5 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress’ softness along with its springier-than-usual coil unit is working against it when it comes to motion isolation. You will experience a significant amount of motion transfer, especially if you share a bed with someone who is heavier than you are.

We rate the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe a 6 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

Once again, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe’s softness is working against it when it comes to edge support. You will find yourself rolling off the edge of the bed if you’re the type of sleeper who sleeps close to the edge.

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Alternate pick: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid performance testing
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

If you need something that you could share with a partner, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.

Unlike the Aurora Luxe, the Signature Hybrid provides exceptional motion isolation as well as edge support. It’s also available in three different firmness options.

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#2. Saatva Classic

man sleeping on his side on Saatva mattress
Saatva Classic

Pros

  • Good for couples
  • Comes in multiple firmness options
  • Suitable for all sleeper types
  • White glove delivery

Cons

  • Can be too pricey for some
  • Edge support is too firm

Why it’s one of the best

If you’re a side sleeper who’s hankering for a mattress that’s a bit more lux AND you’ve got money to burn, the Saatva Classic mattress is your best bet.

The Saatva Classic performs brilliantly across the board; from comfort and pressure relief to cooling and motion isolation – so good, in fact, that they appear to have gone overboard when it comes to edge support (I’ll explain in a bit).

The only mattress brand on this list to provide free white glove delivery, Saatva also applies an antimicrobial treatment on the mattress cover to help keep it free from mold, mildew and bacterial growth.

You also get to choose from three different firmness options, which means there’s definitely something for those who sleep strictly on their sides.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 11.5 inches, 14.5 inches
Firmness levels Medium Soft, Medium, Medium Firm
Materials Organic cotton cover, Euro pillow top, gel-infused memory foam, 14.5 gauge steel coils, high density foam rails, 13 gauge tempered steel base
Free trial period 365 nights
Warranty length Lifetime warranty
Shipping Free
Certification Greenguard Gold, CertiPUR-US

Saatva Classic Performance

The Saatva Classic mattress comes in three different firmness options: medium-soft, medium and medium-firm.

This means there’s a firmness level for every sleeper type including those who sleep strictly on their sides.

Being a hybrid mattress, the Saatva Classic provides more than enough support for heavier people.

We rate the Saatva Classic a 9.5 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

The combination of memory foam, individually-wrapped spring coils, and Euro pillow top provide an extremely contouring and luxurious sleeping experience (no matter the firmness level) and get this – you get none of the sinkage.

We rate the Saatva Classic a 9.5 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

Even without any actively cooling materials and with a layer of memory foam, the Saatva Classic still performs amazingly well when it comes to cooling and does not retain any heat whatsoever, making it a great choice if you tend to sleep hot.

We rate the Saatva Classic an 8.5 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

Even though it contains a pretty robust coil unit, the Saatva Classic’s memory foam layer did a pretty good job of absorbing any cross mattress movement, making it a good option if you share a bed with a partner.

We rate the Saatva Classic a 7.5 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

Here’s the thing – the Saatva Classic’s edge isn’t technically bad. In fact, it’s really good. So good in fact that it’s too firm and raised a little too high for comfort hence the score.

Alternate pick: Saatva HD

saatva hd
Saatva HD

If you prefer your mattress to be a bit more substantial, check out the Saatva HD.

Made specifically for heavier-set people, the Saatva HD features four different proprietary foam layers and a thicker coil unit for extra support. 


#3. Helix Midnight Elite

Helix Midnight Elite mattress testing process
Helix Midnight Elite

Pros

  • Good for those who suffer chronic pain
  • Perfect for side sleepers
  • Pressure relieving
  • Cooling

Cons

  • Noticeable off-gassing
  • Edge support could be better

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Why it’s one of the best

Fancy sleeping on a soft yet supportive fluffy cloud?

The Helix Midnight Elite is your answer.

Containing 9 (yes, NINE) different layers of foam and coils, the Helix Midnight Elite is hefty yet completely compressing.

That should come as no surprise – there are different layers of memory foam within it, providing a sleeping experience that’s akin to sleeping on a 5-star hotel mattress, making the Helix Midnight Elite one of the best options for side sleepers.

For a mattress that contains several layers of memory foam, the Helix Midnight Elite does not retain heat too much, which is good news if you tend to sleep hot.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 16 inches
Firmness levels Medium Soft
Materials GlacioTex Elite cooling cover, quilted foam pillow top, Memory Plus foam, steel micro-coils, memory foam, Helix Dynamic foam, Helix Responsive foam, 8-inch premium steel coils, DuraDense foam
Free trial period 100 nights
Warranty length 15 years
Shipping Free
Certification CertiPUR-US

Helix Midnight Elite Performance

The Helix Midnight Elite sits on a 4.5 on the mattress firmness scale giving it a medium-soft feel.

Medium-soft mattresses are best for strict side sleepers since the softer surface helps provide extra pressure relief. A mattress like the Helix Midnight Elite is also great for those who suffer from chronic pain like fibromyalgia.

We rate the Helix Midnight Elite a 10 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

Layers of different types of memory foam as well as a latex foam alternative provide more than enough pressure relief for your main pressure points. As I’ve said, sleeping on the Helix Midnight Elite feels like you’re sleeping on a 5-star hotel bed. Who could say no to that?

We rate the Helix Midnight Elite a 7 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

True, the Helix Midnight Elite does contain lots of memory foam and high density foam (which is normally heat-retentive), but I found that it actually didn’t retain too much heat, making it a good option for hot sleepers.

We rate the Helix Midnight Elite a 7.5 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

Once again the many different layers of foam do the heavy lifting here because, let’s face it, the Helix Midnight Elite’s coil unit is large and in charge. I barely felt any movement when I tried the mattress out with a partner.

We rate the Helix Midnight Elite a 6.5 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

Because of the Helix Midnight Elite’s softer mattress surface, its edge support suffers quite a bit and you might find yourself rolling off the edge of the bed.

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Alternate pick: Helix Midnight Luxe

Helix Midnight Luxe mattress
Helix Midnight Luxe

If you need something a little firmer, check out the Helix Midnight Luxe.

A 6.5 on the mattress firmness scale, the Helix Midnight Luxe is firm enough for strict back and stomach sleepers but still has that same, fluffy cloud-like feel that’s suitable for side and combination sleepers.

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#4. Egohome Black

egohome black mattress on upholstered bed frame
Egohome Black Mattress

Pros

  • Contouring and compressing
  • Good for those who suffer from fibromyalgia
  • Great for side sleepers
  • Good motion isolation

Cons

  • Poor edge support
  • Not suitable for heavier-set stomach sleepers

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Why it’s one of the best

Here’s something for the all-foam mattress fans looking for a good deal.

The Egohome Black mattress is made up of layers of proprietary foam and memory foam alternatives that provide that cradled-in feel that you would usually associate with traditional memory foam mattresses, but without the stuck-in-the-mud feel.

Like most all-foam mattresses, the Egohome Black’s motion isolation is pretty exceptional, which means you won’t need to worry about any cross mattress movement if you share a bed with a partner (even if you’re a light sleeper).

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 12 inches, 14 inches
Firmness levels Medium Soft, Medium Firm
Materials Graphene cooling cover, gel AeroFusion foam, Adaptifoam, CoolFlex gel foam, BraceSleeper support foam
Free trial period 100 nights
Warranty length 10 years
Shipping Free
Certification CertiPUR-US

Egohome Black Performance

The Egohome Black comes in two mattress firmness options – a medium-soft and a medium-firm.

The medium-soft version is perfect for strict side sleepers as well as combination sleepers who sleep mostly on their sides. The medium-firm version is suitable for all sleeper types but is best for strict back and stomach sleepers.

We rate the Egohome Black an 8.5 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

The Egohome Black offers ample pressure relief for all sleeper types but especially for strict side sleepers thanks to its multiple layers of proprietary memory foam alternatives that provide both compression and contouring without any of the sinkage.

We rate the Egohome Black a 6.5 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

Though not the worst, there’s still a bit of heat retention with the Egohome Black mattress because of its memory foam layers. While it’s not too bad for the average sleeper, if you tend to sleep extremely hot then it’s best to stay away.

We rate the Egohome Black a 10 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

As with most all-foam mattresses, you will barely feel any motion transfer with the Egohome Black, making it a good choice for those who share a bed with a partner or a pet. Once again you have the memory foam layers to thank for that.

We rate the Egohome Black a 6 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

The lack of reinforced edges in the Egohome Black gives it pretty poor edge support. You will find yourself rolling off the edge of the bed if you sit or lie close to or on the edge. 

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#5. Nolah Evolution 15

Nolah Evolution 15 Hybrid Mattress
Nolah Evolution 15

Pros

  • Suitable for all sleeper types
  • Soft and luxurious
  • Pressure relieving
  • Cooling

Cons

  • Edge support could be better
  • Can be a bit too pricey for some

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Why it’s one of the best

Side sleepers may sleep mostly on their sides but hey, they suffer from back pain too.

The Nolah Evolution 15 not only provides pressure relief but also helps those who suffer from back pain.

The Evolution 15 is made up of a blend of proprietary foam, copper-infused foam, and high density foam; which give the mattress a distinct cradled-in feel that’s very responsive.

Here’s some good news for all you hot sleepers: the Nolah Evolution 15 features an ArcticTex cover and air border gussets that significantly boost its cooling capabilities, which helps you sleep cool and fresh.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 15 inches
Firmness levels Plush, Luxury Firm, Firm
Materials AirFoam, HDMax pocketed coils, breathable ArcticTex cover, AirBreath border gusset, recycled plant fiber foundation
Free trial period 120 nights
Warranty length Lifetime
Shipping Free
Certification CertiPUR-US

Nolah Evolution 15 Performance

You get to choose between 3 different firmness options with the Nolah Evolution 15: Plush, Luxury Firm and Firm.

The Plush version is best for strict side sleepers as it offers more give and that extra pressure point relief that strict side sleepers need. The Luxury Firm version has a true medium feel which can accommodate all sleeper types including combination sleepers. The Firm version is best for those who sleep on their backs or stomachs.

We rate the Nolah Evolution 15 a 9.7 when it comes to pressure relief.

As I’ve mentioned previously, the Nolah Evolution 15 has a responsive yet contouring feel that offers maximum pressure relief to all sleeper types (no matter their preferred sleeping position), but side sleepers would do best with the soft version.

We rate the Nolah Evolution 15 a 9.3 when it comes to cooling.

The Nolah Evolution 15 contains actively cooling materials and components such as an air border gusset that allows for greater airflow, as well as copper-infused and gel-infused foam that help do away with any heat retention.

We rate the Nolah Evolution 15 a 9 when it comes to motion isolation.

I barely felt any movement when I tried the Nolah Evolution 15 out with a partner, making it a good option for those who share a bed with a partner.

We rate the Nolah Evolution 15 a 7 when it comes to edge support.

Don’t get me wrong, the mattress does contain reinforced edge coils but I still found its edge support to be a little bit lacking. It isn’t bad, but for a mattress with such a robust construction, its edge support leaves a lot to be desired.

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Alternate pick: Nolah Original Hybrid

man lying on nolah original hybrid mattress
Nolah Original Hybrid Mattress

If you need something a tad less expensive, check out the Nolah Original Hybrid.

Similarly in construction to the Evolution 15, the Original Hybrid uses Tencel in lieu of ArcticTex and Airfoam instead of copper-infused foam, but you still get similar levels of pressure relief and support.

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#6. The WinkBed

WinkBed performance test for side sleepers
The WinkBed

Pros

  • Hotel quality comfort
  • Pressure relieving and responsive
  • Comes in 4 different firmness levels
  • Suitable for heavier-set sleepers

Cons

  • Can be a bit too pricey for some
  • Slight off-gassing

Why it’s one of the best

You and I both know that heavier-set side sleepers have a hard time finding a soft mattress that gives them both pressure relief AND extra support.

But as always, I got you.

The OG WinkBed mattress comes in four different firmness options including one that’s made specifically for those who weigh well over 200 lbs. – the WinkBed Plus.

Made up of a blend gel-infused foam and individually-pocketed coils, the WinkBed features a Euro pillow top that offers both contouring and compression as well as responsive support.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 13.5 inches
Firmness levels Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm, Plus
Materials Tencel cover, pillow top, gel-infused foam, individually pocketed coils, zoned latex foam, high density foam
Free trial period 120 nights
Warranty length Lifetime warranty
Shipping Free
Certification CertiPUR-US

The WinkBed Performance

The WinkBed comes in four different firmness options: Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm and Plus.

Like I said, the Plus version is suitable for heavier-set people who need that extra oomph when it comes to pressure relief and support. The Soft version is best for strict side sleepers while the Luxury Firm version is suitable for most sleeper types. The Firm is best for strict back and stomach sleepers.

We rate the WinkBed an 8 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

Thanks to its plush Euro pillow top and gel-infused memory foam alternative combo, you get a luxurious hotel bed-like sleeping experience that’s easy on the pressure points, no matter your preferred sleeping experience.

We rate the WinkBed a 7 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

Though not the best, the WinkBed still did a good job at keeping heat retention at bay, making it a good choice for those who sleep hot.

We rate the WinkBed a 7 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

You will feel a small amount of motion transfer due to its thicker coil unit, but nothing too crazy – unless you share a bed with someone heavier than you. In that case, it might be an issue.

We rate the WinkBed an 8 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

The WinkBed features reinforced edge coils all around the perimeter of the entire mattress giving it good edge support. This allows you to utilize the entire mattress surface.

Alternate pick: WinkBeds EcoCloud

WInkbeds EcoCloud testing process
WinkBeds EcoCloud

If you’re a combination sleeper, check out the WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress.

Featuring a slightly firmer feel than the OG WinkBed, the EcoCloud still provides enough pressure relief while also providing enough support, even if you are a heavier-set sleeper.


#7. Bear Star Hybrid

Bear Star Hybrid
Bear Star Hybrid

Pros

  • Suitable for all sleeper types
  • Ultra plush and pressure relieving
  • Temperature regulating
  • Helps with muscle recovery

Cons

  • Motion isolation is not the best
  • Slight off-gassing

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Why it’s one of the best

The Bear Star Hybrid is a plush pillow top mattress that’s made up of a combination of gel-infused foam and individually-pocketed coils.

It also features a mattress cover that’s made from Celiant, which is scientifically proven to help with muscle recovery as well as temperature regulation.

Another thing of note with the Bear Star Hybrid is its edge support – it has one of the best edge supports out of a whole host of mattresses I have tried and I’ve tried a lot.

A mattress with great edge support not only helps you stay on the bed and not roll off but it also allows you to utilize the entire mattress surface.

The Bear Star Hybrid is also fiberglass-free, which means it’s a safe bet if you plan to use it for your child’s bedroom.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 13 inches
Firmness levels Medium Firm
Materials Celliant mattress cover, Serene Gel foam, responsive comfort foam, pocketed coils
Free trial period 120 nights
Warranty length Lifetime warranty
Shipping Free
Certification CertiPUR-US

Bear Star Hybrid Performance

The Bear Star Hybrid sits on a 6 on the mattress firmness scale giving it a medium-firm feel.

While you might think that medium-firm mattresses might not be suitable for strict side sleepers, I find that the Bear Star Hybrid’s pillow top provides more than enough plushness and pressure relief for all sleeper types.

We rate the Bear Star Hybrid a 9 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

You might think with its (only) three-layer construction, the Bear Star Hybrid would not be able to provide enough pressure relief, but it really does. You get more than enough pressure point relief no matter your sleeping position.

We rate the Bear Star Hybrid a 9 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

Not a lot of mattresses feature Celliant in their mattress covers – in fact, I believe only Bear’s other mattresses like the Elite Hybrid do – and the Bear Star Hybrid’s Celliant cover not only helps you keep cool when it’s hot but also helps with muscle recovery while you sleep.

We rate the Bear Star Hybrid a 6.5 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

I did experience a significant amount of motion transfer when I tried the Bear Star Hybrid out with a partner, so it may not be the best choice if you share a bed.

We rate the Bear Star Hybrid a 9 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

The Bear Star Hybrid features reinforced edge coils giving the mattress outstanding edge support. You definitely won’t roll off the edge of the bed.

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Alternate pick: Bear Natural

Bear Natural mattress
Bear Natural

If you prefer a latex mattress, check out the Bear Natural.

Made up of a blend of Talalay latex foam and other types of proprietary foam, the Bear Natural is – as the name suggests – an all-natural mattress that offers responsive support while also providing ample pressure relief with its plush pillow top, making it a good option for side sleepers.

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#8. SweetNight CoolNest

SweetNight CoolNest performance review by Sleepline team
SweetNight CoolNest Mattress

Pros

  • Cooling
  • Budget-friendly
  • Suitable for all sleeper types
  • Good motion isolation

Cons

  • Poor edge support
  • Slight off-gassing

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Why it’s one of the best

Here’s something for all you budget shoppers out there.

The SweetNight CoolNest is an affordable all-foam mattress that features a mix of different types of memory foam as well as foam support bars that (somewhat) act as a coil unit providing extra support.

Another thing I liked most about the SweetNight CoolNest is its motion isolation – there’s virtually no motion transfer whatsoever, making the mattress an excellent choice for couples.

The SweetNight CoolNest will also be a good option if you’re looking for a cheap extra mattress for your guest bedroom.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 12 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches
Firmness levels Medium Firm
Materials 3D-weave mattress cover, high resilience foam, gel-infused memory foam, proprietary memory foam, high density foam, high density foam support bars
Free trial period 100 nights
Warranty length 10 years
Shipping Free
Certification CertiPUR-US

SweetNight CoolNest Performance

The SweetNight CoolNest sits on a 6.5 on the mattress firmness scale giving it a medium-firm feel. This makes it suitable for all sleeping positions including side sleepers.

Since the SweetNight CoolNest is an all-foam mattress, it is not able to provide heavier-set people with the extra support they need.

We rate the SweetNight CoolNest a 6.5 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

You get enough pressure relief and support with the SweetNight CoolNest – no matter your sleeping position – but with the caveat that you’ll have to be of average weight or less, because being an all-foam mattress, it can’t support heavier-set sleepers.

We rate the SweetNight CoolNest an 8 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

Even without any actively cooling materials or even a coil unit, the SweetNight CoolNest is surprisingly cool to sleep on, making it a good option for those that tend to sleep hot.

We rate the SweetNight CoolNest a 10 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

As with most (if not all) all-foam mattresses, the SweetNight CoolNest absorbs any motion transfer. I literally did not feel any cross mattress movement when I tried the mattress out with a partner.

We rate the SweetNight CoolNest a 6 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

Unsurprisingly, the SweetNight CoolNest has really poor edge support since it does not feature any edge reinforcements. You will find yourself rolling off the edge of the bed if you try to lie close to the edge.

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Alternate pick: SweetNight Prime

Sweet Night Prime side sleeper test
Sweet Night Prime Mattress

If you want an all-foam mattress with different firmness options, check out the SweetNight Prime.

The Prime is an affordable all-foam mattress that features different firmness levels within one mattress, making it suitable for all sleeper types including side sleepers. All you need to do is to flip it.

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#9. Birch Natural

man sleeping on his side on birch natural mattress
Birch Natural

Pros

  • Actively cooling
  • Offers great edge support
  • All-natural and certified organic
  • Suitable for all sleeper types

Cons

  • Not suitable for couples
  • Can be a bit too expensive for some

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Why it’s one of the best

If you’re looking for something all natural and organic, the Birch Natural mattress ticks all your boxes.

Made from certified organic latex, organic wool and organic cotton, the Birch Natural also boasts certifications from almost all the international regulatory bodies that matter when it comes to mattresses – from GOLS to Greenguard Gold to eco-INSTITUT and Fair Trade. You can’t get any more eco-conscious than that.

The Birch Natural is (of course) fiberglass-free, making it not only green but a safer alternative to mattresses that use fiberglass as a fire retardant.

And of course, this mattress offers not only responsive support but also pressure relief no matter your preferred sleeping position.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 11 inches
Firmness levels Medium Firm
Materials Organic cotton cover, plant-based fire retardant, organic wool, organic latex, individually wrapped coils
Free trial period 100 nights
Warranty length Lifetime warranty
Shipping Free
Certification Greenguard Gold, GOLS ,GOTS, eco-INSTITUT, Fair Trade

Birch Natural Performance

The Birch Natural sits on a 6.5 on the mattress firmness scale giving it a medium-firm feel.

Medium to medium-firm mattresses can suit all sleeper types from side sleepers and combination sleepers to stomach and back sleepers.

We rate the Birch Natural a 7 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

It’s true you get more bounce than contouring with the Birch Natural because of its combo of latex foam and spring coils, but you still get enough pressure relief even if you sleep mostly on your sides.

We rate the Birch Natural a 9.5 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

As you may already know, pure latex is naturally cooling and does not retain heat like manmade foam can. That plus the addition of organic wool and organic cotton cover makes the Birch Natural a great choice for those that tend to sleep extremely hot.

We rate the Birch Natural a 6 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

This is where the latex foam layer betrays the Birch Natural – latex is inherently springy which makes the entire mattress pretty bouncy which in turn leads to slight motion transfer.

We rate the Birch Natural an 8.5 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

The Birch Natural features reinforced edge coils around the perimeter of the mattress, giving it great edge support. You won’t be in any danger of rolling off the edge of the bed.

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Alternate pick: Birch Luxe Natural

Side sleeper mattress test for the Birch Luxe Natural
Birch Luxe Natural

If you’ve got a little bit more cash to spare on an organic mattress, check out the Birch Luxe Natural.

Similarly built to the base model Natural, the Luxe Natural features a couple more additions such as an extra layer of latex and a Euro pillow top.

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#10. Happsy Organic Mattress

Happsy mattress side sleeper performance testing process
Happsy Organic Mattress

Pros

  • Offers responsive support
  • Certified organic
  • Fiberglass-free
  • Cooling

Cons

  • Poor edge support
  • Slight motion transfer

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Why it’s one of the best

As we know, most natural and organic mattresses will have you reeling just by looking at the price.

Luckily, Happsy is an exception. It’s an all-organic and all-natural latex mattress that – get this – won’t cost you an arm and a leg. 

Made from certified organic latex, organic cotton, organic wool and recycled steel coils, the Happsy Organic mattress is also fiberglass-free which makes it safe to sleep on (even for kids).

The Happsy comes in two different firmness levels making it suitable for all sleeper types, including side sleepers.

Specs at a glance

Thickness levels 10 inches
Firmness levels Medium Soft, Medium Firm
Materials Organic cotton cover, organic wool batting, organic latex foam, individually pocketed coils, organic cotton base layer
Free trial period 120 nights
Warranty length 20 years
Shipping Free
Certification GOLS, GOTS

Happsy Organic Mattress Performance

You get to choose between two different firmness options with the Happsy Organic mattress – a medium-soft and a medium-firm.

If you’re a strict side sleeper, it would be best to go with the medium-soft option as it would give you the most pressure relief for your main pressure points which would be your shoulders and your hips. Back and stomach sleepers should pick the medium-firm option.

We rate the Happsy Organic mattress an 8 out of 10 when it comes to pressure relief.

No matter whether you sleep on your back, stomach or sides, you’ll still get more than enough pressure relief and compression.

We rate the Happsy Organic mattress a 9 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

The combination of naturall- cooling latex foam, temperature-regulating wool, and organic cotton makes for one very cooling mattress. The Happsy Organic mattress is definitely a good choice for hot sleepers.

We rate the Happsy Organic mattress 7.5 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

You might feel a very small amount of motion transfer, but nothing too crazy – unless you’re a very, VERY light sleeper and you share a bed with someone who’s way heavier than you are.

We rate the Happsy Organic mattress a 6 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

The Happsy Organic mattress does not contain any reinforced edge coils, which severely limits its edge support.

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How we chose these mattresses

We picked these mattresses based on a complete list of factors that we believe make up a great mattress for side sleepers. We base them off the following criteria:

  • Pressure relief – Everyone has pressure points, so this is important when it comes to choosing the right mattress. We chose mattresses that offer maximum pressure relief.
  • Cooling – Sleeping hot is the number one cause of sleeplessness. Choosing mattresses that offer superb cooling capabilities is crucial to getting a good night’s sleep.
  • Firmness – Mattress firmness correlates to one’s preferred sleeping position, so we chose mattresses that suit the needs of side sleepers in particular.
  • Motion isolation – Picking a mattress that offers good motion isolation is important if you share a bed with a partner. We chose mattresses that are suitable for couples.
  • Edge support – Not only does edge support help (and protect) those who prefer sleeping close to the edge of the bed, having a mattress with good edge support also provides you with a wider mattress surface.
  • Durability – We chose mattresses that we know will last long and ones that come with reasonable return policies.

Conclusion

Side sleepers make up the majority of the population. Because there are a lot of mattresses marketed towards side sleepers, it can be quite daunting to sift through all the muck to find the right one for you.

That’s why I put together this list of the ten best mattresses for side sleepers available on the market today.

I hope this list helped you make your decision. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see reviews for all of these mattresses and more.


How we rate mattresses

We personally test and rate mattresses using the following strict quantitative criteria:

  1. Comfort
  2. Structural integrity and durability
  3. Firmness and support
  4. Cooling capabilities
  5. Pressure relief
  6. Edge support
  7. Motion isolation

Learn more about our mattress rating process and methodology here.


Michelline Norton

Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?