Looking for the best bed for side sleepers? Sleeping on your side is the most popular sleep position, but not every bed or mattress is designed to support you. At Bed Kingdom, we know how confusing it can be to choose the right mattress, base, and pillow combination. So we’ve rounded up the best beds and mattresses for side sleepers to help you.
Why Side Sleepers Need A Specific Type Of Mattress
Side sleeping naturally promotes spinal alignment, reduces snoring and acid reflux, and supports overall health, but it also increases pressure on your shoulders and hips. A good side sleeper mattress should cushion your pressure points while keeping your spine straight, support your midsection so it doesn’t sink too deeply, and contour around your body to reduce tension. All of this can help you avoid waking up with stiffness and pain.
The Best Mattress Types For Side Sleepers
Choosing the right mattress type makes all the difference when it comes to sleep quality and spinal health. Here’s a breakdown of the top mattresses for side sleepers and what makes each one unique.
1. Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress combines foam comfort with coil support, giving you the best of both worlds. Designed for side sleepers or those who change positions throughout the night, it provides foam layers to relieve shoulder and hip pressure while maintaining even spinal support.
Our top pick:
The Maxitex Hybrid 3000 Pocket Sprung Memory Mattress is ideal for side sleepers because its memory foam layer gently cushions the shoulders and hips, which are key pressure points in the side-sleeping position. At the same time, the 3000 individually pocketed springs adapt to the body’s contours, providing targeted support and promoting proper spinal alignment. This combination helps reduce pressure buildup and maintain comfort throughout the night, making it especially suitable for those who sleep on their side.
2. Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are perfect for side sleepers as they respond to your body's curves. They mould to your body as you move, distributing your weight evenly, reducing joint tension, and giving you that “sink-in” feeling. This provides the comfort you need on your shoulders and hips as you sleep on your side.
Our top pick:
The Solace+Co Luxury Comfort Foam Mattress is ideal for side sleepers because its soft reflex comfort layer gently contours to the body, cushioning pressure points such as the shoulders and hips. The medium-firm feel provides enough give for comfort while maintaining responsive support to keep the spine properly aligned throughout the night. Combined with its cooling cover for temperature regulation, this mattress offers side sleepers a balanced blend of softness, support, and breathability for a restful sleep.
3. Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam but made from natural materials and provide a cooling effect. They also provide gentle contouring with better airflow and more bounce and are hypoallergenic. The support and comfort of latex also respond to pressure points, especially for side sleepers with sore joints or back pain.
Our top pick:
The Sareer Pocketo 1000 Pocket Latex Mattress is ideal for side sleepers because its combination of 1000 individually pocketed springs and a latex comfort layer provides the perfect balance of contouring and support. The latex foam gently adapts to the body’s curves, cushioning pressure points around the shoulders and hips, while the pocket springs promote proper spinal alignment by evenly distributing weight. Together, they help side sleepers maintain a natural posture and enjoy consistent comfort throughout the night.
4. Gel Mattresses
Gel mattresses are super responsive and react to the shape of your body like foam. If you’re a hot sleeper, a gel mattress is designed to draw heat away from your body, keeping you cool at night. These mattresses are great for side sleepers as they provide pressure relief without overheating you.
Our top pick:
The Sareer Gel Pocket Matrah Mattress is ideal for side sleepers because its Gel-Lex foam comfort layer provides gentle cushioning and pressure relief for the shoulders and hips — key areas for side sleepers. The individually pocketed springs adapt to body contours, promoting natural spinal alignment and even weight distribution. Combined with its medium-firm feel and cooling properties, this mattress keeps side sleepers comfortably supported and refreshed throughout the night.
Recommended Mattress Firmness for Side Sleepers
For side sleepers, choosing a soft or medium mattress is best. This allows plenty of contour to your body and keeps the spine aligned while providing maximum comfort.
Soft mattresses are better suited for those who sleep solely on their side and those who weigh less than 14 stone. If you change positions to sleep on your back and front, have back pain, or weigh more than 14 stone, a medium to medium-firm mattress is better suited.
Not sure which one to choose? Check out our mattress buying guide to find the right one for you.
What To Look for When Shopping as a Side Sleeper
As a side sleeper, you should keep these things in mind when finding and choosing the perfect mattress for you:
- Firmness - Look for soft, medium to medium-firm for the best comfort grade.
- Support Zones - To support side sleeping, look for features around zoned or layer support for the shoulders, hips, and spine.
- Cooling - If you get hot at night, go for a gel or latex design.
- Motion Isolation - Memory foam or hybrid models are the best for couples.
- Trial Period and Warranty - Ensure that you can test your mattress, either before you buy or with a warranty. If you experience any aches and pains, you can swap for a better-suited mattress.
The Best Beds For Side Sleepers
Your mattress is only as good as the bed frame beneath it. Choosing the right bed affects airflow, support, durability, and your mattress's performance over time. For side sleepers, we’ve put together the best bed frames to consider, which all offer strong central support, even slat spacing, and good ventilation:
1. Ottoman Beds
Ottoman beds are usually made with solid or platform-style bases, which provide even mattress support. They are great for side sleepers as they complement comfort and spinal alignment. These beds also offer built-in storage underneath the base, essential for smaller bedrooms.
Our top pick:
The Solace+Co Emilie Ribbed Ottoman Bed features a sprung slatted base that offers gentle, responsive support. The slats flex with body movement, helping to evenly distribute weight and reduce pressure on the shoulders and hips—key areas for side sleepers. This design enhances mattress comfort and promotes proper spinal alignment throughout the night.
2. Wooden Bed Frames
Made from solid wood, these frames provide stable support and a firm foundation for your mattress, maintaining alignment. The natural slat structure of a wooden bed also promotes air circulation, helping to regulate your temperature while you sleep.
Our top pick:
The Flair Elias Wooden Bed features a flat slat base that provides firm, consistent support across the entire mattress surface. This stable foundation helps maintain proper spinal alignment and prevents sagging, allowing side sleepers to rest comfortably while keeping pressure evenly distributed along the body.
3. Upholstered Bed Frames
Fabric frames or velvet beds add a layer of comfort and aesthetic appeal. With a soft, stylish, and supportive frame, many also feature padded headboards, making relaxing in bed much more comfortable. As a side sleeper, these bed frames provide comfort and a stable base, even when lounging.
Our top pick:
The Flair Everley Boucle Ottoman Bed features a sprung slatted base that gently adapts to body movement, providing responsive support and enhanced comfort. This flexible foundation helps cushion pressure points at the shoulders and hips, areas most affected when sleeping on your side, while promoting healthy spinal alignment for a more restful night’s sleep.
4. Metal Bed Frames
Metal bed frames are known for their durability and minimalist design and are great for heavier mattresses such as latex or hybrid models. For side sleepers, this bed features open slats that encourage airflow, and provide strong central support for your mattress.
Our top pick:
The Flair Callan Metal Bed features a sturdy metal slatted base that provides stable, consistent support across the mattress. This helps maintain proper spinal alignment and prevents uneven pressure on the shoulders and hips, ensuring a comfortable and supportive sleep surface throughout the night.
Best Pillows For Side Sleepers
Finally, don’t forget the third part of your sleep setup—your pillow. Even with the right mattress and bed frame, the wrong pillow can throw your neck and spine out of alignment. For side sleepers, you need:
- A memory foam pillow for the maximum neck and head support.
- A medium to firm comfort grade to keep your spine straight.
- A medium to high loft (pillow height or thickness) to prevent overextension of the neck.
Our top pick:
The Flair Contour Memory Foam Pillow provides firm, contoured support that cradles the head and neck while maintaining proper spinal alignment. Its high-density memory foam reduces pressure on the shoulders and keeps the head elevated at the right angle, helping side sleepers rest comfortably and wake up without stiffness.
Tips for Side Sleepers
Alongside the right bed, mattress and pillows, a few small adjustments can make a big difference to how comfortably you sleep on your side. Follow our tips to wake up refreshed and pain-free every morning:
- 1. Keep your spine straight - When lying on your side, imagine a straight line running from your neck to your tailbone, this will prevent neck and back pain.
- 2. Use a knee pillow - Placing a small pillow between your legs can reduce pressure on your hips and lower back.
- 3. Alternate sides - Switch which side you sleep on from time to time to prevent uneven pressure or strain.
- 4. Choose breathable bedding - Side sleepers tend to sink deeper into their mattresses, which can trap heat.
- 5. Adjust your sleep height - If you feel strain in your neck, test different heights with your pillow.
Beds and Mattresses for Side Sleepers at Bed Kingdom
Sleeping on your side promotes proper spinal alignment, reduces snoring, and supports better digestion. But to get the full benefit, you need the correct setup, including a medium or medium-soft mattress, a supportive bed frame, and a firmer pillow that keeps your neck and shoulders aligned.
At Bed Kingdom, we make it easy to find your perfect combination. From pressure-relieving memory foam mattresses and breathable hybrid designs to supportive wooden and upholstered bed frames, we have options tailored to every side sleeper’s comfort and style. You can always visit us at our showroom in West Yorkshire, to try our mattress for side sleepers in person before you buy. If you have any questions, our FAQ page may help, or you can contact our customer service team to find the right bed and mattress for you.