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Casper Nova Hybrid
Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers
Holiday Deal
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Sleeping positions vary from sleeper to sleeper, and having a specialized mattress to match your habits can help your sleep quality, comfort and overall health. Side sleeping is the most common sleeping position — 74% of people prefer sleeping on their side. If you’re a side sleeper, you might not have realized that there are mattresses designed specifically for you and your sleep position. The best mattresses for side sleepers are ones that contour to the shape of your resting body, providing ample pressure relief and alleviating back pain, hip pain and shoulder pain.
Type Flippable hybrid mattressFirmness Firm: 5 or medium | Soft: 3 or medium-softTrial 120 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warranty Price $$
Like
- Dual-firmness design appeals to all sleeping positions, but especially side sleepers
- Hybrid construction is good for all body types
Don’t like
- May be out of some people’s budgets
Why we picked the Layla Hybrid mattress: Unlike a majority of mattresses on the market, you can sleep on either side of the Layla Hybrid mattress. It has a soft and airy memory foam feel that’s almost like cotton candy. Side sleepers will love the soft side, and the firm side accommodates all sleeping positions.
Layla Hybrid’s foam is infused with copper for enhanced temperature regulation, and has extra-strong pocketed coils for maximum support. The soft mattress side had just enough give to alleviate pressure on my shoulders and hips, but still provided the support I needed so I didn’t wake up in pain. On the days where you feel you may want a little more support, the firm mattress side of this Layla Mattress propped me right up. Read more in our Layla Hybrid mattress review.
The Layla Hybrid mattress comes in twin to California king and prices range from $1,299 to $1,899 regularly, not considering any discounts the store may be offering.
Additional details
- Type: Flippable hybrid mattress
- Firmness: Firm: 6 or medium to medium-firm | Soft: 3 or medium-soft
- Trial: 120 nights
- Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
- Price scale: $$
Type Hybrid mattressFirmness Medium-soft or 3Trial 100 nightsWarranty 10-year warranty Price $$$
Like
- Zoned-support design helps provide more support
- Thanks to its coils, this bed is ideal for all body types
Don’t like
- It’s one of the most expensive beds in Casper’s lineup
Why we picked the Casper Nova Hybrid mattress: A soft mattress is a side sleeper’s haven and the Casper Nova Hybrid bed among the cream of the crop. It feels like a big fluffy cloud, with the additional support of pocketed coils in the foundation layer and a zoned layer in the center of the mattress for targeted support and pressure relief.
It’s ultra plush, and really nestles your body as you become engulfed in the soft foam layers. The foam is quick to respond to pressure, unlike dense memory foam which can take a few moments to morph back to its normal shape. And thanks to its supportive hybrid design, it’s accommodating for all body types.
The Casper Nova Hybrid doesn’t sleep cool, but it does help regulate temperature. The top layer is made with perforated Airscape foam to allow air to pass through, while the pocketed coils in the lower layer also promote more airflow. It is a bit expensive, but I think it’s worth it for side sleepers looking to splurge on a new mattress. The Casper Nova Hybrid comes in twin XL to California king and prices range from $1,995 to $3,095.
Additional details
- Type: Hybrid mattress
- Firmness: Medium-soft or 3
- Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
- Price scale: $$$
Casper Nova
AMERISLEEP AS5 Memory Foam Mattress – Queen (Soft) Plant Based Material Made 100% in USA 20-Year Satisfaction
Like
- Its hybrid construction makes it supportive for all body types
- Helix has a quiz that matches you with your perfect bed
– Nice bang for your buck for a hybrid bed
Don’t like
- Heavy side sleepers may want a firmer bed with a tad extra support
Why we picked the Helix Sunset mattress: For side sleepers looking for a safe, comfortable soft mattress, the Helix Sunset is a great choice. It has a simple hybrid mattress design that combines pocketed coils with reinforced edges for stronger edge support and two layers of comfort foams that feel soft, airy and plush.
Helix uses memory foam and its own special Dynamic Foam to create a soft blend that is pressure relieving, but quicker to respond to pressure than the Amerisleep AS5. It’s also accommodating for all body types because of its hybrid design.
A few of the cool things about Helix is its mattress quiz (and affordable price tag). Helix has a personalized quiz that offers mattress recommendations based on your answers. And as you can see by comparing the prices of other beds on our best mattress for side sleepers roundup, the Helix Sunset is a nice bed that offers a great value. Read more about this bed in our Helix mattress review.
The Helix Sunset comes in sizes twin to California king and prices range from $936 to $1,749.
Pros
- Its hybrid construction makes it supportive for all body types
- Helix has a quiz that matches you with your perfect bed
- Nice bang for your buck for a hybrid bed
Cons
- Heavy side sleepers may want a firmer bed with a tad extra support
Additional details
- Type: Hybrid mattress
- Firmness: Soft or 1 to 2
- Trial: 100-night trial
- Warranty: 10 to 15 years
- Price scale: $$
Purple Original Mattress
Type Hybrid mattressFirmness 3 firmness levels | Soft: 3 or Medium-soft | Medium: 5 or Medium | Firm: Medium-firm or 7Trial 120 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warranty Price $$$
Like
- Multiple layers of cooling tech makes it a true cooling bed
- Its strong hybrid construction suits all body types
– Sleepers have three firmness options to choose from
Don’t like
- As a luxury mattress, you’ll be paying top-dollar
Why we picked the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Lux: Many brands use marketing language that claim to have a cooling mattress, but only a handful of those claims actually turn out to be true. Enter Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Lux. It’s a thick hybrid mattress designed with multiple avenues of cooling tech and a plush, cozy feel perfect for side sleepers. You also have the ability to choose between multiple firmness levels.
It’s a thick, 13.5-inch hybrid mattress with CopperFlex foam to help regulate temperature, and an actual cooling cover. The cover is smooth and gives off a cooling sensation, so when you touch it, you can physically feel the iciness. Aside from its cooling abilities, it’s also incredibly comfortable. The foam is soft, pillowy and cradling without making you feel like you’re going to sink. This bed comes in three different firmness levels, but I think side sleepers will enjoy the soft and medium models best.
Prices start at $999 for a twin and max out at $2,265 for a California king. However, the brand is pretty generous with discounts. You can typically buy a queen size Aurora mattress for around $300 to $400 off. It also comes in RV mattress sizes including an RV king and RV bunk.
Additional details
- Type: Hybrid mattress
- Firmness: 3 firmness levels | Soft: Medium-soft or 3 | Medium: Medium or 5 | Firm: Medium-firm or 7
- Trial: 120 nights
- Warranty: 10-year warranty
- Price scale: $$$
Other mattresses for side sleepers we’ve tested
The CNET Sleep editors have tested more beds than the average sleeper. Around 200 different ones, in fact, and we’ve dedicated hundreds of hours to the craft. The beds on the list were among some of the best we came across, but there are several mattresses that also stood out and deserve some of the spotlight.
- WinkBed mattress: The luxurious and Pinterest-perfect WinkBed mattress comes in three firmness levels, and the soft model would be a perfect fit for side sleepers looking for a plush, supportive hybrid mattress. The WinkBed is made with several layers of comfy foam, strong pocketed coils, and a fluffy pillow top that makes it look as good as it feels. I think side sleepers of all body types would enjoy the WinkBed.
- Original Layla mattress: We mentioned the Layla Hybrid on this list, but if you want to save some money and are willing to give up the pocketed coil base layer, then the Original foam Layla mattress is a great option. It’s also flippable, and features one very plush and soft side perfect for side sleepers. Though, this Layla mattress is going to suit sleepers under 230 pounds better because it’s not as supportive as the Hybrid model. How we tested the best mattresses for side sleepers
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
The main consideration we take into account when we look for the best mattress for side sleepers is firmness and the amount of pressure relief a mattress offers. When testing mattresses, we lay in each sleeping position (including side) and determine how well they accommodate our primary pressure points.
When we’re on our side, it’s crucial our hips and joints feel properly cradled. If a bed’s too firm, it can press into your pressure points and cause soreness or pain.
Read more on how we test mattresses.
What to consider when picking the best mattress for side sleepers
The qualities that side sleepers want in a mattress are different from stomach or back sleepers. Here are the main features to keep an eye out for if you favor your side when you sleep.
- Pressure relief: As we’ve touched on in this best list already, the best mattresses for side sleepers cradle the hip and shoulders to provide optimal pressure relief. That’s why soft mattresses tend to be the best — they give under your weight allowing the foam to mold around your shoulders and hips.
- Firmness: Soft mattresses are typically more pressure-relieving than firm ones. If you had a firm mattress, it would press into your hips and shoulders, throwing off the alignment of your spine with your neck. This is a recipe for back pain.
- Weight: Keep in mind that the heavier you are, the softer a mattress is going to feel. Heavier sleepers over 230 pounds can afford to get a firmer mattress because it’ll feel a notch softer than what’s advertised. The same rule applies in reverse to petite sleepers under 150 pounds. Smaller side sleepers may want an extra-soft mattress so it doesn’t feel too firm.
- Health concerns: If you suffer from back pain, side pain or joint pain, take that into consideration when choosing a mattress. People with back pain may want a side sleeper bed that offers a balance of pressure relief and support, like the Purple, which lands at a medium on the firmness scale. If you suffer from hip or shoulder pain, a softer mattress that will take the pressure off your joints will usually fare better than a firm bed.
How does sleeping on your side affect your sleep?
Besides being comfortable, there are also countless health benefits to side sleeping as well. Helping reduce the risk of sleep apnea, improving the health of your brain and even improving gut health and function are included among the benefits of sleeping on your side. And the best mattress for side sleepers can improve your comfort while you get a good night’s sleep.
It’s also recommended to side sleep during pregnancy. It promotes better quality sleep by keeping pressure off your belly, and sleeping on the left side promotes ample blood flow from the inferior vena cava. This is a crucial vein that pumps blood through your heart and also your baby.
However, sleeping on your side can have some adverse effects if you’re not using the right mattress. It can put undue pressure on your shoulders and hips and lead to joint pain and discomfort.
Tips for sleeping on your side comfortably
Use the right pillow
A pillow can make or break your sleeping experience, especially for a side sleeper. Side sleepers need tall, lofty pillows that properly support the head and cervical spine. A flat pillow causes the head and neck to bend out of alignment with the spine, which can promote pain.
Add more cushion
If you need it, utilize pillows for some extra padding and support where you may need it most. Keep a soft and fluffy pillow between your knees to relieve pressure on you back and promote better alignment. You can also keep a pillow under the armpit if you live with shoulder pain for added pressure relief.
Consider a mattress topper
If your mattress is too firm but it hasn’t yet reached its expiration date, use a mattress topper to make it softer without having to buy a whole new bed. Mattress toppers can change the entire firmness profile of your bed, so side sleepers should look for a soft and plush topper.
