Best mattresses for side sleepers: At a glance
Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Emma Original Mattress
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Make no mistake – buying a new mattress is a big deal.
After all, it doesn’t happen all that often, with people choosing to upgrade their mattresses every 10 years or so. When that time comes around, it’s important to pick the best mattress for your body type and sleeping style.
Most sleep experts suggest changing your mattress every six to eight years. If you’re currently sleeping on a mattress that’s older than that, it might not be serving you as well as it should. And with most of us recommended between six to nine hours of sleep every night, switching to a new mattress is a good step towards that goal.
Want to buy a new mattress, but unsure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
There are some extra considerations to take into account for side sleepers. Research shows that half of all British adults sleep on their sides, so you’re in good company. For those who prefer to rest on their side, experts recommend choosing a soft to medium mattress for comfort and support.
It’s crucial that side sleepers don’t pick a mattress with too much support as it won’t provide enough cushion for pressure points when sleeping in this popular position – like hips and shoulders. Cushioning these points is proven to help with spinal alignment.
While a softer mattress might feel comfy initially, it might not support your body as needed during the night.
Memory foam, latex and gel mattress options are the most popular choices for side sleepers. Most of our top picks in this guide offer generous trial periods, so you’ll be able to test out the new mattress – putting the comfort layers and support layers to the test over weeks – with a money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with your purchase.
Best mattress deals available today
Get 40% off + FREE mattress protector @ SIMBA
View Deal
British brand SIMBA has slashed 40% off the price of all of its award-winning mattresses. Best of all, some models now arrive with a free mattress protector too!
Get 55% off all mattresses @ Brook + Wilde
View Deal
For a limited time, Brook + Wilde is offering 55% off when you buy one of its award-winning mattresses
Get up to 55% off mattresses @ Emma
View Deal
Emma is offering up to 55% off some of its best-selling memory foam and hybrid mattresses! With Emma’s trademark 200-night trial period, you can secure a deal now and then make up your mind about the mattress in a few months
Get 60% off mattresses @ Nectar
View Deal
For a limited time, you can get 60% off from Nectar Mattresses – saving more than £1,000 on some bundles with bed frames and bedding! Not only that, but you can pick the exact delivery date for you at no extra cost too
What is the best mattress type for side sleepers?
• Memory Foam: A memory foam mattress usually combines layers of foam to create different zones to compensate for pressure points and regulate temperature. This is usually a mixture of a soft mattress layer with rigid support layers. These mattresses use the heat from your body to soften and mould to your shape. When you shift your body, the memory foam will bounce back. Over the time, the material will adapt to your body shape and sleeping position
• ActiGel: An ActiGel mattress combines memory foam or springs with the titular gel, which is designed to keep the sleeper cool with its boosted breathability. Aside from the layer of ActiGel, the rest of the mattress is a pretty standard latex foam or spring affair.
• Hybrid: As the name suggests, a hybrid mattress aims to combine the best traits of memory foam and springs. These mattresses usually have a layer of coiled springs at the bottom for stability, with one to three layers of latex or memory foam on top to provide support and comfort for sleepers.
• Pocket Sprung: A pocket sprung mattress is made from individual pocket springs, each nestled within its own fabric pocket. This ensures that the spring only reacts when pressure is applied to the area directly above it. This is different from a traditional spring mattress, where the springs tend to move as one unit.
• Open Coil Spring: An open coil mattress is probably what comes to mind when you think of a mattress, with hundreds of high tensile steel springs in rows running from side to side. The springs depress as you move on the mattress to cushion and support your body. By adjusting the steel springs, these mattresses can be soft, medium or firm.
What to consider when buying a new mattress
- Budget
- Firmness
- Your Favoured Sleeping Position
- Size Of Your Bed Frame
- Whether You’ll Be Sharing The Mattress With Someone Else
- Do You Want To Buy Online Or In-Store?
Best mattress for side sleepers
Below, you’ll find the best mattresses for side sleepers on the market. We update this ranking as new options are released, so it’s possible that you’ll see some changes in the coming months and years. We’ve also rounded up the latest deals and discounts on these mattresses, which are usually available with money-back guarantees and free trial sleep periods.
SIMBA Hybrid Pro mattress
Our Top Pick For Side Sleepers
Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
Things To Know
Depth: 27cm
Layers: 7
Trial: 200 nights
Guarantee: 10 years
Sizes: kids, single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU queen
Read our in-depth review
What We Love
- Available In UK and EU Mattress Sizes
- Made From 100% Recycled Materials
- Wool Cover Stays Cool In Summer
- Risk-Free 365-Night Trial
What We Don’t
- No Detachable, Washable Cover
Hybrid mattresses use a heavenly combination of pocket springs and foam to offer a supportive and adaptable sleeping surface. That winning combination makes a hybrid mattress the perfect pick for someone who sleeps on their side and needs a bit of give to cushion pressure points, like shoulders and hips, when they dig into the top layer of the mattress. However, the pocket springs also ensure a supportive foundation, that doesn’t dip even if you place your body weight close to the edge of the mattress.
In our five-star SIMBA Hybrid Pro mattress review, we praised the mattress for its comfort and low-motion transfer, which means that movement in one area is unlikely to cause the entire surface of the mattress to move. That’s ideal for those sharing the mattress with someone else, as you’re unlikely to be awoken each time they turn over in their sleep.
SIMBA Hybrid Pro includes seven distinct layers in its design, including a patented SIMBAtex “open cell” foam that allows more airflow than standard memory foam, the firm says. Combined with the hypoallergenic wool used in another of its multi-layer design and the Hybrid Pro boasts truly brilliant temperature regulation, so you won’t overheat in summer or get chilly in the depths of winter.
Of course, you’ll be able to test all of these clever innovations for yourself, thanks to the generous 200-night trial offered by SIMBA. At any point during that lengthy trial period, you can return the mattress for a full refund. And don’t worry about keeping the premium hybrid mattress wrapped in protective plastic throughout the year-long trial either – you’ll be able to return the mattress in any condition (within reason), so use the Hybrid Pro like you normally would to thoroughly assess this mattress in every season.
The Hybrid Pro is guaranteed for 10 years too, so you can confident in the build quality and materials. Given that most experts recommend upgrading to a new mattress sooner than a decade, the Hybrid Pro should ensure a brilliant night’s sleep for a long while.
Get 40% Off + FREE mattress protector with Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
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Hybrid Pro mattress packs a winning combination of luxurious “open cell” foam, breathable wool, and 5,000 Aerocoil springs. And it’s from 100% recycled materials. A generous 200-night trial means you can thoroughly road-test the second-generation hybrid mattress!
Nectar Memory Foam mattress
Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress For Side Sleepers
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Things To Know
Depth: 25cm
Layers: 5
Trial: 365 nights
Guarantee: Forever years
Sizes: single, small double, double, king, super king
What We Love
- Generous One-Year Trial Period
- Memory Foam Offers Superb Comfort
- Low Motion Transfer
- Lifetime Warranty
- Can Recycle Your Old Mattress
What We Don’t
- Warmer Than Some Designs
Memory foam is an excellent choice for side sleepers as it provides even weight distribution, low motion transfer, and pressure relief for the shoulders and hips. And there’s plenty of memory foam included with this luxurious mattress – a whopping 25 centimetres of it, to be exact.
While some might have concerns about memory foam leading to overheating at night, that’s not something you’ll need to be concerned about with the Nectar memory foam mattress. The company uses patented foam that allows air to flow through the bed – keeping the sleepers cool throughout the night. The quilted top layer of the mattress (which, unfortunately, cannot easily be removed to be washed) is also designed to get airflow moving around your body, keeping you comfortable on the warmest summer evenings.
This comfortable mattress from Nectar has impressed so much that it’s included in our round-up of the best memory foam mattresses available today.
This superb memory foam model from Nectar promises not to break the bank. And that’s before you even consider the generous mattress deals often available on this pick.
Nectar says its mattress is medium-firm, which should offer plenty of support for all body shapes and sizes. While those upgrading from a tired coiled-spring design might find the mattress surprisingly firm to begin with, once you get used to the amount of support available from this design, there’s no looking back.
That medium-firm design is also key for spinal alignment too, with the memory foam ensuring that your spine doesn’t curve during the night.
You’re able to test out all of these claims yourself, thanks to the generous one-year trial period. If you’re feeling pretty confident about the new mattress, Nectar will remove old mattress for you as part of the delivery process.
Get 50% off Nectar Memory Foam mattress
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The Memory Foam mattress from Nectar is a brilliant choice for side sleepers, thanks to its five layers of supportive and cooling gel memory foam. Nectar has worked hard to ensure that its mattress is breathable – something that can plague poor-quality memory foam mattresses
Emma Original mattress
Best Mattress For Couples Who Sleep On Their Sides
Emma Original Mattress
Things To Know
Depth: 25cm
Layers: 4
Trial: 200 nights
Guarantee: 10 years
Sizes: single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU queen
What We Love
- Generous 200-Night Trial
- 10-Year Warranty
- Airgocell Foam Layer To Keep Cool
- Detachable, Washable Cover
- Huge Range Of Sizes Available
What We Don’t
- Could Be Too Firm For Some
One of the key benefits of memory foam is the low-motion transfer, which means you won’t be shaken each time the person beside you fidgets, turns, or gets up for a glass of water. That makes any mattress with generous amounts of high-quality memory foam, like the Emma Original mattress, a great choice for couples.
This ridiculously low motion transfer has other benefits too, for example, you can place a bowl of cereal onto the surface of the mattress and leap into bed ready for a chilled Sunday morning with your new favourite Netflix show and there’s no possibility whatsoever of spilling any milk.
Emma Mattress is topped with a generous layer of memory foam. This foam is designed to conform to the contours of your body, providing support and cushioning where you need it most. For those who sleep on their side, that usually means cushioning shoulders and hips, which naturally dig deep into the surface of the mattress in that position. Additionally, the memory foam is infused with cooling gel, which helps to regulate body temperature and keep you cool throughout the night.
British brand Emma is one of the original firms behind the so-called Bed In A Box revolution – cutting out the expense of expansive showroom floors in favour of generous trial periods in your own home. While it might no longer be the new kid on the block, it’s still incredibly easy to recommend mattresses from this innovative firm. The Original Mattress boasts three layers of pressure-relieving foam, which offer support across five separate zones.
Emma offers a generous 200-night trial period with its mattresses, so you’ll be able to test out its design during the hottest summer night and as the nights start to draw-in and temperatures plummet in the autumn too. At any point during the 200-night trial, you can apply for a full refund. If you decide to keep your new mattress, it will be guaranteed for the next 10 years – longer than most experts advise keeping any mattress.
Get 50% off Emma Original mattress
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The Original Mattress from Emma is a great choice. The memory foam ships in a small box for easy delivery and comes with a generous 200-night trial period, so you can thoroughly test this mattress before making your mind up!
Brook + Wilde Elite mattress
Best Mattress For Side Sleepers With Back Pain
Brook and Wilde Elite Mattress
Things To Know
Depth: 28cm
Layers: 8
Trial: 200 nights
Guarantee: 10 years
Sizes: single, double, king, super king
What We Love
- Detachable, Washable cover
- Your Choice Of Firmness
- Pocket Springs Add Some Bounce
- Solid Base Layer Adds Stability
- 200-Night Trial Period
- Can Recycle Your Old Mattress
What We Don’t
- Pricier Than Some Rivals
This luxurious hybrid mattress from Brook + Wilde is ideal for side sleepers who suffer from back pain. That’s because Brook + Wilde is one of the very few companies that offers customers the chance to tailor the firmness of the mattress during checkout. The Elite is available in either soft, medium, or firm comfort feel.
This is perfect for those who want as much support as possible or those who prefer a little more give from their mattress, since almost every other Bed In A Box brand uses a medium-firm one-size-fits-all approach. Of course, building each mattress to order does mean that it’ll take a little longer to get your hands on your brand-new mattress from Brook + Wilde. Most orders take around two weeks to build from scratch, so if you’re in a rush to get a new mattress – you might want to look at another brand in this guide.
The Elite mattress from Brook + Wilde combines luxurious foam with thousands of pocket springs into a complex eight-layer design that makes for a dreamy mattress, which is perfect for anyone who has suffered from neck, hip, or back pain. We thoroughly tested the design and awarded it five-stars in our Brook and Wilde Elite mattress review.
The Elite arrives with a removable, washable top cover – something we complained was missing from a number of rival brands. For anyone who overheats during the night, or likes to treat themselves to breakfast in bed, this is a must-have feature that promises to ensure your new mattress stays looking box-fresh for the duration of its lifespan.
And given that Brook + Wilde offers a 10-year guarantee, you could be sleeping on this mattress for a long time.
Brook + Wilde offers free delivery on all orders. And as you’d expect from a Bed In A Box brand, there’s a 200-night trial period available with the Elite Mattress, so you can test this brilliant hybrid mattress for a few months before you decide whether to keep it or send it back.
Get 60% off Brook + Wilde Elite mattress
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Elite by name, elite by nature. This hybrid mattress from Brook + Wilde packs 3,000 pocket springs to create a supportive, breathable design. And you can pick your exact level of firmness at checkout!
OTTY Original Hybrid mattress
An affordable hybrid mattress for side sleepers
OTTY Original Hybrid Mattress
Things To Know
Depth: 25cm
Layers: 6
Trial: 100 nights
Guarantee: 10 years
Sizes: single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU king, emperor
What We Love
- Detachable, Washable Cover
- Gel-Infused Foam Keeps You Cool
- 100-Night Trial
- 10-Year Warranty
- Interest-Free Payment Plans
What We Don’t
- Additional Cost For Delivery
OTTY offers one of the most affordable hybrid mattress designs on the market. For those who want the benefits of both pocket-springs and cushioning memory foam, this is a brilliant choice that promises not to break the bank. OTTY is based in Leeds, with all of its mattresses designed and built in the UK.
Since this is a hybrid design, OTTY has combined thousands of encapsulated pocket springs with its unique Cool Blue Gel-infused memory foam, which is designed to keep sleepers at the optimum temperature – whether that’s in the depths of winter, or a roasting summer night. It’s an impressive combo that should appeal to all sleepers.
The springs offer an extra layer of support, while the foam provides extra cushioning. The latter is especially important when sleeping on your side, a position that produces more pressure points, like shoulders and hips.
The Bed In A Box company has earned an impressive collection of industry awards for its designs, which are available in a slew of different UK and EU sizes.
Unlike some of the mattresses in this guide, OTTY has ensured the top cover can be detached and washed. That means you’ll be able to keep the hybrid mattress looking box-fresh for years to come, no matter how hot and sweaty you get at night, or who many accidental spills happen during a weekly breakfast-in-bed, as pictured below.
As if the deals weren’t enough, OTTY also offers 0% interest payment plans too. That means you’ll be able to spread out the cost of your new mattress over a year or more.
There’s also a 100-night trial, so you can put the pocket springs and cooling foam to the test in winter and summer before you decide to commit to the Original Hybrid Mattress.
Get 50% off OTTY Original Hybrid mattress
View Deal
The OTTY Original Hybrid Mattress uses a trademark Cool Blue Gel-infused memory foam to keep sleepers at the optimum temperature. If you’re unsure, there’s a 100-night trial for you to test at home. And when you decide to keep the mattress, there’s a 10-year warranty too
What are the pressure points when sleeping on your side?
As the name suggests, a pressure point is the area of the body that’s sensitive to pressure.
These are usually parts of the body that press against the mattress during sleep. For side sleepers, pressure points are usually the shoulders and hips, since these dig the furthest into the mattress – making these the areas you need to ensure are taken care of while you sleep.
A good mattress will anticipate these pressure points. Since the surface of a mattress is divided into a number of zones, those under the shoulders and hips will be a little softer to allow the pressure points to sink in – keeping your spine aligned even as your legs, neck and stomach rest on the surface of the mattress.
How to choose the best mattress for sleeping on your side
As the shoulders and hips will be pressing against the mattress as you sleep if you’re a side sleeper, it’s advised to opt for a mattress that is supportive without being overly firm, as this may put too much pressure on these areas and lead to soreness.
A soft to medium-firm mattress will be better equipped at providing support while also having some give that will mould to your body’s contours while ensuring your spine is aligned through the night.
How often do you need a new mattress?
Under normal day-to-day (or should that be night-to-night) usage, sleep experts recommend switching to a new mattress every 6 to 8 years. Of course, this is just a guideline and definitely doesn’t apply to every person or situation.
For example, one person who sleeps on a double mattress (or larger) might regularly switch between the left- and right-hand side – varying the amount of strain placed on the pocket-springs and foam on each side. That can extend the lifespan of the mattress.
If you haven’t replaced your mattress in over a decade, it’s definitely worth looking into new options. There are a number of tell-tale signs that it’s time to replace your mattress with a new model.
- If your current mattress is negatively impacting your sleep
- If your current mattress is sagging
- If your current mattress is visibly damaged
- If your current mattress is making more noise
- If your current mattress leaves you waking up with muscle or joint stiffness
Get 40% off + FREE mattress protector @ SIMBA
View Deal
British brand SIMBA has slashed 40% off the price of all of its award-winning mattresses. Best of all, some models now arrive with a free mattress protector too!
Get 55% off all mattresses @ Brook + Wilde
View Deal
For a limited time, Brook + Wilde is offering 55% off when you buy one of its award-winning mattresses
Get up to 55% off mattresses @ Emma
View Deal
Emma is offering up to 55% off some of its best-selling memory foam and hybrid mattresses! With Emma’s trademark 200-night trial period, you can secure a deal now and then make up your mind about the mattress in a few months
Get 60% off mattresses @ Nectar
View Deal
For a limited time, you can get 60% off from Nectar Mattresses – saving more than £1,000 on some bundles with bed frames and bedding! Not only that, but you can pick the exact delivery date for you at no extra cost too
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