These are the mattresses that reviewers recommend if you prefer sleeping on your side, including products from top brands like Nectar and Emma.

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers.If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

When it comes to online mattress reviews, it really does seem like side sleepers have a lot to complain about.

If you’re in the habit of sleeping on your side, as the majority of people are, you’re not going to be satisfied by most mattress models on the market. You’re essentially looking for the Goldilocks of mattresses — one that’s not super-firm and not super-soft, but just right.

This sounds like an impossible task, but it’s really not. There are absolutely loads of high-quality mattresses out there from a wide range of top brands, offering just what you need to finally get a good night’s sleep. It is possible. We promise.

Why is it important to invest in a high-quality mattress?

Side sleepers need a bed with that rare mashup of balanced plushness and support to keep their spine adequately aligned throughout the night. 

If your vertebrae aren’t properly positioned as the result of your pelvis sitting too high (on a too-hard mattress) or too low (on a too-squishy mattress), you’ll put unnecessary pressure on your shoulders and/or hips while you sleep in that lateral position. You’ll likely wake up feeling sore, or toss and turn throughout the night as a result of that annoying “dead arm” feeling stemming from the pressure. 

All of this probably sounds fairly familiar. Why else would you be here? Fortunately for you, all of these issues can be tackled with a high-quality mattress that provides the right amount of support in all the right places. This is great news for anyone who is struggling to sleep comfortably, but is a new mattress your only option?

Is it possible to improve your sleep without buying a new mattress?

There are lots of ways to improve your sleep quality besides investing in a new and improved mattress. You can avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening, for instance, or get more exercise throughout the day, invest in a pair of blue light blocking glasses, or simply put down your phone a few hours before bedtime to start reaping some of the benefits of a good night’s sleep. In case you didn’t know, these include reduced stress, a decreased risk of depression, and boosted memory, to name a few.

Still, those methods will only help to an extent, and they don’t address one of the average side sleeper’s main sources of slumber woes, which is a lack of sufficient spinal alignment. Therefore, looking into a better bed is definitely the route to go if that’s your preferred sleeping position.

What is the best mattress for side sleepers?

Shopping for a new mattress is not easy. There are a lot of options, each promising a bunch of different benefits. What are the best brands? How firm should your mattress be? What materials should you consider? It’s perfectly normal to have a lot of questions, because a mattress is an important purchase.

To try and make your life that little bit easier, we have tracked down a selection of the best mattresses for side sleepers who are lightweight, heavy, sweaty, in a relationship, and beyond. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list. You just need to consider all of the options and pick a favourite.

We have highlighted impressive mattresses from top brands like Leesa, Casper, and many more popular names. You should sleep easy with this selection.

These are the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2021.


Forever warranty • Good for most sleep positions (including side sleepers) • Three foam layers for contouring and spine support
You need to set it up
The Nectar Mattress provides three foam layers and a breathable cover for optimal comfort for side sleepers.

Nectar Mattress

The three foam layers and breathable cover offer comfort and support for side sleepers.

  • Dimensions:
    Twin (96.5 x 190.5 cm), Full (134.5 x 190.5), Queen (152.5 x 203.5 cm), King (193 x 203.5 cm)
The Nectar Mattress offers three foam layers with an adaptive high-core memory foam layer that supports your body without sinking. The gel memory foam evenly distributes your weight and a quilted gel memory foam increases breathability and air circulation. There’s a lot of technology that goes into giving you a good night’s sleep. 
Setup is easy, and all you have to do is remove the packaging and plastic cover, let the mattress expand, and then you can use it on your bed. It’s not difficult, but it’s still your responsibility. 
Nectar has a forever warranty, which means that if you bought a mattress and it experiences wear and tear over time, Nectar will replace the mattress at no charge. No, we’re not kidding.


Comfortable • Convenient handles
Fairly pricey
The Emma Original is a medium-firm mattress that accommodates side sleepers.

Emma Original

The Emma Original mattress combines different materials and structures for optimal pressure distribution.

  • Dimensions:
    Single (90 x 190 x 25 cm), Small Double (120 x 190 x 25 cm), Double (135 x 190 x 25 cm), King (150 x 200 x 25 cm), Super King (180 x 200 x 25 cm)
The Emma Original uses Conformable Next Generation Airgocell foam that adapts to any body shape thanks to its point elasticity. This means that pressure distribution on your body is improved which supports adjustment, so you can sleep well on your side (and in any position, really).
This popular mattress combines different materials and structures for optimal pressure distribution, which in turn creates an ideal condition for a good night’s sleep.
Bhe breathable foam allows proper ventilation thanks to its open pores, and a cover with climate control fibre provides moisture removal. Say goodbye to sweaty nights.


Helps with pain • Three layers of foam • Made in the UK
Some reviews mention over-heating
This mattress keeps every type of sleeper supported, including side sleepers.

Eve Original

Eve has created the perfect place to recharge your batteries with its Original mattress.

  • Dimensions:
    Single (90 x 190 cm), Double (135 x 190 cm), King (150 x 200 cm), Super King (180 x 200 cm)
The Eve Original mattress has a top layer of memory foam that hugs the sleeper, providing proper support and pressure relief. There is still sinkage, but with the Eve Original it is a slow process.
The level of support is where this mattress stands out from the others in this roundup. This mattress offers support to side, stomach, and back sleepers, with pressure relieving qualities letting you be flexible with your sleeping style.
You can also get a 100-night trial to see if you really like it, with hassle-free returns if you’re not totally satisfied. 


Good support • There are many more expensive pocket-sprung mattresses
Quite warm • No handles
The 2,500 conical pocket springs and responsive memory foam combine to comfort restless sleepers.

Simba Hybrid

This Simba Hybrid mattress uses a combination of 2,500 conical pocket springs and responsive memory foam.

  • Dimensions:
    Single (90 x 190 x 25 cm), Small Double (120 x 190 x 25 cm), Double (135 x 190x 25 cm), King Size (150 x 200 x 25 cm), Super King Size (180 x 200 x 25 cm)
The Simba Hybrid mattress combines memory foam with micro pocket springs, striking an excellent balance between comfort and support.
It’s one of the best ‘bed-in-a-box’ options, unless you get very warm in bed. In this case you should probably avoid memory foam completely, because it can heat up in higher temperatures. This mattress would also benefit from some handles to make manoeuvring it easier. 
That’s enough negativity, because you’ll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable pocket-sprung mattress for the same price. It also comes with a 100-day money-back guarantee.


Budget-friendly • Eco-friendly mattress with fibres made from recyclable plastic bottles • Five-year guarantee
Non-removable cover • Support is lacking at the egdes
Budget-friendly mattress is good for comfort and the environment.

Silentnight Studio Eco

This budget-friendly mattress has an “eco comfort” top layer that offers a decent level of comfort for side sleepers.

  • Dimensions:
    Single (91.44 x 190.5 cm), Double (137.16 x 190.5 cm), King (152.4 x 198.12 cm)
The Silentnight Studio Eco mattress is the cheapest option on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking.
It’s made from two layers of synthetic fibres and one layer of pocket springs. It has an “eco comfort” top layer that’s made from a mixture of materials. There are more comfortable mattresses out there, but this offers a decent level of comfort for side sleepers.
The layers around the 1000 individually pocketed spring network are made from 100% recyclable plastic bottles. This means that every mattress prevents hundreds of plastic bottles from ending up in landfill sites.