This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Sleep Number.
A good night’s sleep is essential to how we feel and function the next day. The mattress we sleep on plays an important role in that experience, particularly for people who spend most of the night on their side. A mattress for side sleepers needs to balance cushioning around the shoulders and hips with enough support to keep the body comfortably aligned. A mattress that feels great for someone who sleeps on their back may not offer the same comfort to a side sleeper.
Finding the right mattress comes down to more than choosing between soft and firm. Side sleepers need to consider how well a mattress cushions pressure points, whether it offers enough support through the night, and how its materials affect temperature and movement. Memory foam mattresses tend to contour more closely to the body, while hybrids combine foam with springs for a different balance of cushioning and responsiveness. People who share a bed may also want to consider motion isolation and whether both sleepers can find a comfortable firmness.
Before buying, check the mattress’s firmness options, construction, trial period and warranty, along with the price for your preferred size. These details can help you look beyond marketing claims and find a mattress that suits your sleeping position, comfort preferences and budget.
What should side sleepers look for in a mattress?
Choosing a mattress for side sleeping means finding the right balance between cushioning and support. Since more pressure is concentrated around the shoulders and hips in this position, the mattress needs enough give to accommodate these areas without allowing the rest of the body to sink too deeply.
Cushioning at the shoulders and hips: Side sleeping concentrates pressure in these areas. Look for a surface that allows them to settle comfortably without excessive sinkage.
Firmness and support: Many side sleepers prefer some give around pressure points, but the right firmness depends on body weight and personal preference. Adjustable firmness can help if you aren’t sure which feel suits you.
Materials and responsiveness: Memory foam tends to contour closely, while hybrids combine cushioning with coils that often feel more responsive. Consider how easily you want to change positions.
Shared-bed comfort: Motion isolation, cooling and different firmness preferences may matter if you share a mattress. Trial periods and warranties are also worth comparing before buying.
Why does pressure relief matter for side sleepers?
When you sleep on your side, your body weight is concentrated over a smaller surface area than when you’re lying on your back. Your shoulders and hips bear much of that pressure, which can make an overly firm mattress uncomfortable.
A mattress with cushioning comfort layers allows these areas to settle into the surface rather than pressing against it. Memory foam, latex, and certain hybrid constructions are designed to provide different levels of contouring and pressure relief.
However, more cushioning isn’t always better. If the comfort layers allow your hips to sink too far, the rest of your body may fall out of comfortable alignment. The goal is to find a mattress that cushions pressure points while providing enough underlying support.
This is why firmness alone doesn’t tell you everything about how a mattress will feel. Two mattresses described as medium-firm can provide very different experiences depending on their construction and comfort layers.
What mattress firmness works for side sleepers?
Many side sleepers prefer a medium or medium-soft feel because it allows the shoulders and hips to settle into the mattress while keeping the body supported.
However, the right firmness depends on several factors, including body weight, preferred sleeping position, and personal comfort.
Lighter sleepers may find that a firmer mattress doesn’t allow enough sinkage around their shoulders and hips. Higher-weight sleepers, on the other hand, may need more underlying support to prevent excessive sinkage.
It’s also worth considering whether you stay in one position or move between your side and back throughout the night. A mattress that feels comfortable in one position may not provide the same balance of cushioning and support in another.
If you’re unsure which feel suits you, adjustable firmness offers another approach. Rather than committing to a single setting, you can fine-tune the mattress as your preferences change.
Is memory foam or a hybrid mattress better for side sleeping?
Both can work. Memory foam tends to contour closely and absorb movement, while a hybrid combines foam cushioning with a spring system that can feel more responsive.
Memory foam can be appealing for side sleepers who prefer a cradled sensation around the shoulders and hips. Its slower response also helps limit movement travelling across the bed, which may be useful if you share a mattress.
Hybrid mattresses combine cushioning comfort layers with a coil support system. The coils add responsiveness, making it easier to change positions, while the upper layers provide pressure relief.
Some mattresses combine multiple materials to create a different balance of cushioning and support. The better choice depends on whether you prefer a more cradled feel or a surface that is easier to move around on.
Temperature regulation is another consideration. Some foam mattresses incorporate cooling materials, while hybrid constructions may allow additional airflow through their coil systems.
Can adjustable firmness help side sleepers find the right comfort?
One challenge with choosing a mattress is that your comfort preferences may change over time.
A mattress that feels comfortable when you first buy it may not always provide the exact cushioning or support you want. You might also find that different sleeping positions call for different levels of firmness.
Adjustable-firmness mattresses allow you to change the feel of the sleeping surface rather than relying on one fixed level. This can be useful for side sleepers who want to experiment with how much cushioning feels comfortable around their shoulders and hips.
For couples, independent adjustments can be another advantage. One person may prefer a softer surface for side sleeping, while the other wants firmer support.
How Sleep Number ComfortNext Ultra approaches side-sleeping comfort
The Sleep Number ComfortNext Ultra gives sleepers more say in how their mattress feels, rather than asking them to settle on a single firmness level. Its Tri-Brid design combines foam, air and individually wrapped microcoils, while a thicker, ultra-plush high-density foam layer adds cushioning. The result is a mattress designed to pair a softer, more cushioned feel with support that can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
Sleepers can fine-tune the firmness as their needs change, while Sleep Number’s Responsive Air technology automatically adjusts firmness in response to movement to help maintain comfort through the night. Couples can set each side independently, so one person can prefer a softer feel while the other opts for firmer support. Built-in cooling materials and enhanced airflow also help regulate temperature for a more comfortable night’s sleep.
The Ultra also brings sleep tracking into the mix. Through the Sleep Number app, users can view insights into sleep duration, efficiency and timing, alongside metrics such as average heart rate, heart rate variability and breathing rate. Built-in cooling materials round out the feature set.
The ComfortNext Ultra starts at $4,499 for a queen. Sleep Number’s Black Friday sale also gives shoppers an opportunity to save on this premium mattress, with a 20% discount running through through December 7, 2026.
How can you tell if a mattress is too firm or too soft?
A mattress that doesn’t provide the right balance of cushioning and support may leave you feeling uncomfortable, even if it’s marketed as suitable for side sleepers.
If the surface is too firm, you may notice pressure around your shoulders or hips or have trouble settling into a comfortable position. Your body may not sink far enough into the mattress to distribute pressure comfortably.
If the mattress is too soft, your hips may sink farther than the rest of your body. This can make it difficult to maintain comfortable alignment through the night.
Pay attention to how you feel when you wake up and whether you’re frequently changing positions to get comfortable.
It’s also important to give yourself time to adjust to a new mattress. A home trial can be useful because it allows you to evaluate how the mattress feels over multiple nights rather than relying on a brief showroom test.
How do you choose a mattress that works for both partners?
If you share a bed, finding the right mattress may involve more than your own sleeping preferences.
One person might sleep primarily on their side while the other prefers sleeping on their back. You may also have different preferences when it comes to firmness, cushioning, and temperature.
Motion isolation is worth considering if your partner frequently changes positions during the night. Mattresses that absorb movement can help reduce how much of that motion travels across the sleeping surface.
Independent firmness controls may also be useful when partners prefer different levels of support. Rather than choosing one compromise setting, each person can select the feel that works for them.
Cooling materials and breathable construction can provide additional comfort, particularly when one or both sleepers tend to get warm at night.
How do you know which mattress is right for your sleeping position?
Finding the right mattress for side sleeping comes down to understanding your comfort preferences and how different materials respond to your body.
Start by considering whether you prefer a softer, more contouring surface or a mattress with a little more responsiveness. Think about how much cushioning you need around your shoulders and hips, and whether you tend to change positions throughout the night.
If you share your bed, consider your partner’s preferences as well. Features such as motion isolation, cooling materials, and adjustable firmness may be worth prioritizing.
Before buying, compare trial periods, warranty coverage, mattress construction, and available firmness options. These details can help you make a more informed decision beyond simply choosing a mattress described as soft or medium-firm.
The right mattress should provide enough cushioning to keep your pressure points comfortable while offering the support you need throughout the night.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a mattress for side sleepers
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Many side sleepers prefer a medium or medium-soft feel because it allows the shoulders and hips to settle into the mattress while keeping the body supported. The right choice depends on body weight, sleeping habits and personal preference, so firmness labels should be treated as a starting point rather than a guarantee. If you’re unsure which feel suits you, a mattress with adjustable firmness, such as the Sleep Number ComfortNext Ultra, lets you fine-tune the setting instead of committing to one fixed level.
Is a memory foam or hybrid mattress better for side sleeping?
Both can work. Memory foam tends to contour closely and absorb movement, while a hybrid combines foam cushioning with a spring system that can feel more responsive. The better choice depends on whether you prefer a more cradled feel or a surface that is easier to move around on.
Why does pressure relief matter for side sleepers?
When you sleep on your side, more pressure is concentrated around the shoulders and hips. Cushioning in these areas can make the surface feel more comfortable, provided the mattress still offers enough support.
Can an adjustable mattress work for side sleepers?
Yes. Adjustable-firmness models such as the Sleep Number ComfortNext Ultra allow you to fine-tune the feel as your preferences change, rather than relying on a single firmness setting.
How can you tell if a mattress feels too firm for side sleeping?
You may notice uncomfortable pressure around your shoulders or hips, or have trouble settling into a comfortable position. Your body weight and the mattress’s construction can affect how firm it feels.
Should side sleepers choose a soft or firm mattress?
Neither is automatically the right choice. A softer mattress may provide more cushioning around pressure points, while a firmer mattress offers greater resistance. The ideal balance depends on your body weight, preferred feel, and how the mattress supports your body.
How much should you spend on a mattress for side sleeping?
There is no single price that guarantees a better fit. Compare construction, firmness options, trial terms, warranty coverage, and the price for your preferred mattress size. A more expensive mattress may offer additional features, but those features are only worthwhile if they match your comfort needs.
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